Definitions: (1) possessing intense or eager interest; zealous; fervent; (2) having a strong, exciting feeling; ardor
Derivation: Greek, entheos: en “in,” theos “God,” i.e.: “possessed by God,” “supernatural inspiration”
Note: Means both ‘God within’ and ‘within God.’
The Kingdom of Heaven is within you. — Jesus of Nazareth (7 bc-30 AD) The Bible, Luke 17:21
In Him we live and move and have our being. — Paul of Tarsus (c. 5 BC-67 ad) The Bible, Acts 17:28
Compatible Quality: stamina
Quote: In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm… in the real world all rests on perseverance. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) German polymath [eight disciplines]
Comment: Enthusiasm is a hard quality to keep juiced. You eventually run out of energy. Keeping up your health helps. Connecting yourself with what is motivating, personally and altruistically, helps. When you are working on something valuable, that value infuses you with the interest – a good enough reason to proceed.
Consideration: Sometimes you don’t get the joy of enthusiasm from doing a task, all you get is the doing of it and the relief of finishing it.
Observation: When you first start something big or important, you may have just broken through the fears of your own negative “what if’s,” those oppressive possibilities that, until now, have prevented you from positive action. When you overcome this swamp of negative potential pitfalls, you have risen your sight to the clear blue sky, to the bright sunshine of optimistic possibilities. Now you are given the gift of enthusiasm to start you on your way. You have taken the first decisive steps. You have faced what surely seems to be a difficult, yet reasonable reality, and transformed your vision. You have decided to create your own future.
You know there will be problems, diversions, compromises, etc. You know you have not been here before so, of course, you lack knowledge and experience. But now you know the trick is to accept all of these difficulties with maturity. Reinvigorate your enthusiasm occasionally by raising your head to look back on the good you have accomplished, and to ponder the good you wish to achieve.
Color: orange