If you ask the experts (go ahead, consult the Interweb–I’ll wait), one of the keys to true happiness is to find something you’re passionate about and DO IT. The best case scenario would be to translate your passion into a career, but that doesn’t always work. Some people feel that turning a passion into a job might kill the magic, so to speak. Some people are passionate about something that isn’t easy to turn into a paid gig. For instance, I’m very passionate about running, but I’m fairly confident that no one’s going to pay me to do it. Regardless of whether your passion brings you a paycheck, you still need something in your life that lights your proverbial fire.

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It may be fairly simple to identify topics or activities you’re passionate about–just look at where you spend your free time. I can look at my life and easily see that I’m passionate about running, reading (mainly fantasy & science fiction), and writing. Are you an avid photographer? Do you love to knit? Do you read everything you can get your hands on about mythology, or natural medicine, or fashion? Are you out in your garden for several hours a day? These clues will help you identify what you’re already passionate about.

Sometimes, however, it isn’t that easy. Many mothers have been putting everyone else’s needs ahead of their own for so long that they’ve lost touch with themselves, forgotten their passions. They barely have time to shower and keep up with the seemingly endless flood of homework, housework, and work work–let alone indulge in something as decadent as personal passion.

The good news is that you can remember, discover, or create passion in your life starting right now!

• What are your most treasured mementos and keepsakes? The first-place medal from a swim meet you entered in high school? A ribbon you won in a baking competition? A comemorative T-shirt from a 10k race? A photo of you in a college theater production?
• What games did you love to play when you were little? What did you imagine when you played make-believe?
• What did you want to be when you grew up?
• What are you really good at? What are your talents and strengths?
• What do you daydream about doing?
• What’s on your “must do before I die” list?
• What do you read about?
• What are your favorite books and movies? Why?

If you go through these exercises and nothing stands out, don’t despair! You can actually create passion in your life. Pick a topic or activity that you’re interested in and dive in. Let’s say you’re interested in quilting. Find out everything you can about it–read books & blogs, join forums, find others who are interested, join a quilting circle. Set a goal for yourself. Pick a quilt pattern and set a time frame to finish the project. If you decide you hate it, you can always pick something else and start again.

“If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.” - T. Alan Armstrong

Tags: Passion, Purpose

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