Living with passion

Passion is the emotional energy that fuels us to think and live 'big'. It's the realization of our life's dreams. What differentiates those with great success and achievements from those without them is the power of knowing and pursuing where they want to go and what they want to be and do. Through living and materializing our passion, we express our unique individuality.

What is passion?

Passion is our heart's desire. It is what we dearly love to be and do. It is the yearning and craving that takes us beyond the mundane and into the fulfillment of our life's purpose. Passion is the ability and responsibility to reach further into our creativity and realize phenomenal achievements. Passion brings inspiration and motivation, which are major keys to exceptional success and achievements. Knowing our passion is powerful in setting our strategic direction in life.

How do I find my passion?

Exercise: Reflect on the following questions and write down the answers that are true to you. Trust what comes to your mind. You may not get much at the beginning. It is highly recommended that you repeat this exercise as many times as it takes until you are genuinely satisfied with the answers you're getting. True insights reveal themselves through repeated reflection. This exercise can be very insightful - you might really surprise yourself with the kind of guiding answers you will get.

- What am I naturally good at and do with ease and enthusiasm?

- What are my favorite subjects that capture my attention in magazines, newspapers, books, and television?

- As a child what did I dream of becoming when I grew up?

- What are the top three most meaningful, purposeful and exciting actions that I enjoy doing?

- What do people usually appreciate me for or compliment me on?

- What are the subjects/things/interests that I love to talk about without being bored?

- What impact would I love to make at home, work and wherever I go?

Meditation: For at least a week, and when your time allows, sit quietly in a relaxed state and meditate about what makes you happy. Think of how you would complete the following statement: 'I am most happy when...'

Remember that there are no right, wrong or silly answers. Give yourself permission to define your very own happiness and joy. And do not hinder yourself by any judgmental comments of what is possible and what is not. This is the very initial and basic ingredient in recognizing your passion.

Passion and personal power

When we live our passion, we build and express our personal power. It is extremely powerful to know what we want and be able to live it. Our passion is our life energy, which expresses itself in:

- Great fulfillment from within.

- Less and less craving for recognition and appreciation from outside.

- Self- expression of uniqueness and giftedness.

- Being energized and uplifted.

- Being inspired and achieving.

- Making the right choice of our life work.

Passion leads to vision

In discussing where the vision comes from, Linda Marks suggests that, "the heart is where the impulse, the spark of vision begins. Your passion fuels the fire of vision, providing the support for growth, for sustenance. To grow and thrive, your vision needs conscious attention. You need to accept the vision, to choose it from a place deep inside, to sustain it and make it real. In this sense a vision, when you are truly committed to it, touches the soul."

Knowing our passion is the basic milestone to building and living a vision. It is the map of our own life dreams and our creative side. Never underestimate the power of passion.