Find Your Passion (Lord knows I am lookin')

You have recently gone through some dramatic and transformative changes in your life. Whether these changes be related to your job, family life, or spirituality, the shift has taken some getting used to and you want to focus on something positive. You enjoy a lot of different pastimes, but you really want to devote yourself to something that you simply love doing. How do you find your passion? Perhaps just as important, how do you turn that passion into something meaningful and substantial in your life...
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." --Eleanor Roosevelt
A passion in life isn’t something you’re born with. It’s cultivated by your interests, what stimulates you and what you are genuinely excited about. But what if you want to pursue many avenues and just don’t know which one you’d be the most successful at or want to invest the most time in? Or what if nothing particularly lights the proverbial fire under your bottom, but you have a lot of energy that you could devote to something? Or maybe you’re stuck in a job you despise, but don’t know what other route to take that would truly be fulfilling. Don’t fear. We have plenty of ideas to get your creative juices flowing so that you can find your passion, and make something worthwhile of it.
Answer these QuestionsAnswering the following questions is a great exercise in deciding where your passion may lie and what direction to go in. Write down your answers and look for a common theme. Your passion might be so obvious that it pops right off of the page.
What do you love about yourself?
What did you want to be when you were a child?
If money were no object, what would you want to do?
What do you daydream about or think about during downtime?
How do others perceive you?
List five things you really enjoy doing and five things you’re really good at.
Name one thing you’ve always dreamed about doing but never told anyone about.
Look AroundYour passion could be right under your nose, but you just might not be in tune with it. Watch out for signs or for moments that inspire you or move you. It might come in the form of a movie, a human interest story from a newspaper or neighbor, or a great ending to a great book. Go through your closet or look through old photo albums. You may have simply “stored” away memories of any passions or inspirations you had as a child or before you were married, had children or started in the work force. Once you’re aware of everything around you, finding your passion might seem easier.
Network
You know that networking is a great tool to use in job hunting, but it’s also a great tool to use to help find your passion and turn that passion into a productive endeavor. Let people in on your passion and dreams: They’ll become more of a reality the more you talk about them and when an opportunity pops up that relates to that passion, they’ll let you know! If the passion you’ve discovered has to do with a dream job, keeping the lines of communication open with all sorts of people will only increase your chances of pursuing your passion and achieving a goal.

Get Involved
Getting involved in volunteer projects is a fantastic way to test the passion waters. Start out by volunteering with one group. It can be at a soup kitchen, animal rescue group or reading to children at the library for an hour. Really begin to feel what it means to do something positive for someone else – many people associate their passion with service. They feel it’s their purpose and their calling. Volunteer where you are drawn to, and then volunteer with something at the opposite end of your passion spectrum. The more projects you’re able to experience, the more your imagination will be sparked.

Take a Risk and Reach for the Stars
Nobody can live your life for you - your destiny is in your hands. If you’ve found your passion, you’re already on your way. If you’ve found a passion that seems a little more intangible than others, give it some serious thought, but don’t be afraid to go for it. Too many people don’t follow their passion because they let the possibility of failure stop them before they even try. How will you know if things are possible if you don’t try? Be proactive, reach for the stars and turn your passion into something productive and meaningful that will enrich your life.