Finding Your Passions
Hint: They are Right Behind and Before You
Living through a crisis can help us clarify a few things of significant importance. I think as we move into this weekend, it is a good time to take a few moments and recognize what ignites our passion.
Perhaps I think of passion differently than most. It’s not what makes me happy, though engaging in a project I’m passionate about might bring me joy. It’s not what I find challenging, though it may be that also. Passion is what either makes my heart break to the point I would be willing to sacrifice for it or what makes my heart soar so high I would pursue it at a great cost.
Passion is a deeply driving force–a sense that we can and should make a difference. These things already exist for you. No doubt you have been moved beyond tears. Sometimes those tears turn into a burning desire. Perhaps you already own a soapbox. I think recognizing your passions and harnessing them for good helps us live with a deeper sense of purpose.
We are going to take a walk in two different directions to grab a hold of your passions. The first is a stroll down memory lane, looking back at your past:
What have people often recognized in you throughout your life?
Have you ever spoken up for a group of people you felt were mistreated?
What has brought you a deep sense of gratitude in your life?
Now let’s look out into our future together:
What breaks your heart or pierces your soul when you look at the world right now?
What do you most want for the sake of others?
If you had all the time and money in the world, what would you do?
Here are a few of the passions I have heard people share when they take the time to answer these questions:
I am passionate about teaching kids to read
I am passionate about every child learning to swim
I am passionate about seeing families stay connected after the kids are grown
I am passionate about providing food for the hungry
I am passionate about helping people build a legacy
I am passionate about stopping human trafficking
I am passionate about disaster relief
I am passionate about financial literacy
Looking at what has gotten you to this point in your life and looking ahead to what is next can be so helpful at a crossroads time like this.
If you need more support to find your passion, we can send you a worksheet and give you additional resources. There is no doubt in my mind there are things that will stir you in a meaningful way.
Though we all hope to survive this pandemic, life is more than just surviving. The things you do daily and the things you deeply care about can find alignment. You do not need to walk away from your family, your job, or life as you know it. You can pursue your passion by orienting your life around it.
Let your passion wake you up in the morning with more energy, let it drive you through the difficulties and keep you ticking. There is just something special about people who take hold of their passion and let it fill them with enthusiasm and hope. Their eyes are brighter, and their burning desire is the kind of contagious we need to see more.
We hope you’ll have a great weekend. We don’t just care about your success; we care about you having a fulfilling life and we appreciate the opportunity to work with you. Once you clarify your passion, we hope you will share it with us. We want to help you orient your life around it and make the difference in your community and the world that only you can.
About the Author
Bernie DeLaRosa, CFP®, ChFC®, CRPC®, CLU®, APMA®, CASL®, BFA™
Managing Business Consultant
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