The moral of this story seems to be that if you're too passionate about your passion, and become too emotionally invested, it can destroy you.
For this guy, the solution was to quit his passion and do something different. That may not be the best solution for all. By all means, try to do your passion. Sometimes it won't work out, but please don't let this discourage you!
If he had never tried he would not be as happy with his current career. Knowing that he tried but it didn't work out is what makes him satisfied with his current job.
I mean can you imagine living life as an accountant and regretting all the kids you could have helped? Much better to try it out and then fall back on something else....
I completly agree with you. As long as you are not part of a passionate envirenment (they sometimes border fanatism, which is obviously bad..) you will end up one day to work with people and organizations careing less than you do. Since you care, sooner or later this will burn you out.
The lesson for me is, be prepared for the fact that it doesn't work, and get some emotional distance, even it's hard.
Passion/Love can turn to antipathy/hate; happens all the time with personal relationships that focus exclusively on themselves, and with dreams that become obsessions. In common terms it's called "burnout." You generally need to be wary of wrapping your life exclusively around one person or one pursuit.
For this guy, the solution was to quit his passion and do something different. That may not be the best solution for all. By all means, try to do your passion. Sometimes it won't work out, but please don't let this discourage you!