This is what I read today in the sports column covering the WTA Tour after watching a scintillating display of raw power (she broke her racquet after a series of errors…and then went on to win) and emotion the previous evening — “Life is far too short and there are so many things that are so much more important in life than hitting a tennis ball”.

This came from Serena Williams. It didn’t make me think about her stupendous career, her 18 grand slam titles, her victorious come-backs, her clear domination of the court when on song.

I was struck by how all of it was reduced to the very basic, literal act of hitting a tennis ball. Something, which, even I can do.

If it were to come from a 100th seeded player it’s almost irrelevant in its magnitude of belittlement. But it’s being uttered by one of the most prolific player the sport has ever seen. Tennis is compared with life and obviously if you compare anything with that Grand Slam you will come short. Because like all the great books say, there are no winners or losers in there, only players.

Curiously enough, I have never read Sachin Tendulkar making such a comparison or Steve Jobs saying “life is too short to manufacture computers and mobile phones”. And thereby, reducing Passion to its very basic function, stripped of all emotions.

So then it’s not about passion because that will be in equal measures in all those who strive towards their goal with a single-minded dedication. Passion, then is a fuel that speeds one towards his/her goal. Problem is, one can run out of fuel, and goals.

Perhaps passion is a first step to a different kind of consciousness…one where the function and the emotion of it embeds into life itself. This space could be exhilarating, sorrowful, banal because it is life itself. Perhaps it is not tied to an act but all the actions that come with all its manifestations.

Is this true living? Just ruminating…