“Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman
Do you know what your passion is? What are you meant to do? What brings you joy and keeps you energized? If you know the answer to these questions and are living your passion, you might find that you feel energized, optimistic and productive. You wake up every morning, looking forward to another day. People who don’t live their passion, tend to feel stuck, anxious, depressed and unmotivated.
Passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion. It is the power that comes from focusing on what excites you. It brings vitality to all aspects of your life, from work, family and school life, to creative, social and spiritual life. One of the major regrets that folks have when they are dying is that they wish that they had the nerve to live a more fulfilling life- live their passion.
So how do you find your passion? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Identify what makes you come alive. What are you passionate about? There is something energetic about a person with passion- they always stand out. They are not checking the clock or finding short cuts to address problems. They get lost in what they are doing. When you are doing what you love, your passion for it is obvious to others and that makes the difference between a joyful life or a life where you feel stuck. The thing that makes you come alive is that thing that you would be willing to do for free, if you were financially secure.
2. Work within your set of values. What are your values? It is not what you achieve in life but it is who you become that counts! Your values form the foundation of your life. When there is a discrepancy between what you value and how you live your life, it is incredibly difficult to experience passion. Passionate people are very clear about who they are, what they stand for and what they believe in. Take stock of your values and determine if you are living your life in accordance with them. If not, make a shift and begin to make your outer life consistent with your inner life. This will help you to spring into life with energy and passion!
3. Operate in the area of your strengths. What are your gifts/strengths? When you operate in the area of your weaknesses, you feel tired. When you operate in the area of your strengths, you feel alive. You are in your element when your natural talents and skills meet your personal passion. When you wake up in the morning, what are the things that you are most excited about doing? Begin making a list of things that you do that come easy for you, but not so easy for others. Notice the things in your life that bring you a sense of satisfaction. These activities will help you to realize your gifts and strengths.
In sum, passion makes life worth living. When you realize your passion, you can take your life to the next level- one that is more fulfilling! If you are not living your passion, then take some time to reflect on what makes you come alive. Take time to become familiar with your values. Finally, begin paying more attention to the things that you do well. I always say that awareness is the first step. Once you have the awareness of what what lights you up, then you can begin to live a passionate life.
