I know painting is a passion because I loose track of time when I am painting. Every morning when I wake up it is on the list of things I plan to do if possible. Sometimes it keeps me from doing other things I should be doing. It is more than a hobby that is just a filler of time. 

Probably most of us spend much of our time doing things that we enjoy doing, need to be done, or that we are obligated to do. A passion is more than this. I just finished reading a book 'Kids on the Block' that was an example of a person with a passion that also makes the world a better place. She worked with Kids who were in danger of getting killed or very depressed about their lot in life. They were her neighbors in Chicago. Her life was completely devoted to them and she also found her husband joining her in this effort. It was a beautiful passion.