The Importance of Passion

The term "finding your passion" is one of the catchphrases which figures prominently in law of attraction circles. Empowerment coaches such as Janet and Chris Attwood (The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose) and Chris Widener (The Angel Inside: Michelangelo's Secrets for Following Your Passion and Finding the Work You Love) have explained in great detail the concept of finding your passion in order to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. Indeed, it is everyone's dream to live such joy and passion every day. Still, what is it about passion that makes it important? Why is passion necessary to attract the life of your dreams? The answer lies in passion's ability to help you be present in your body and live from your heart.

Reflect on those times in your life when you have felt the most passionate. Maybe it was when you allowed yourself to be creative and painted a masterpiece, or maybe it had to do with your elation at being able to solve a complex problem in your job. Regardless, ask yourself a few key questions. How did it feel? Did it make me want to continue doing it? Where was my attention--my focus? Did I want to be doing anything else, be anywhere else?

My guess is (based on my own personal experience) that you felt alive and empowered. The joy it brought to you made you want to take those actions again and again. You did not want to be anywhere else in the world except where you were. In those moments of passion, you were totally present--fully focused in your body. Your mind and heart were engaged. You were in a place of power! At that precise moment, you were truly a creator of your universe.

Following your passion is important because doing so enables you to become your highest self. It is the place of flow and abundance and empowerment. When you let passion be your guide, your life magically falls into place. Don't underestimate passion. It has the power to transform your life.

Overcoming Bumps in the Road

It's been a rough few weeks for me. As I go further along on this journey of not having a "real" job, I am increasingly uncomfortable with the thought of not having money coming in. I have worked full time since being separated from my ex--roughly 12+ years. Working for other people to earn a living has been my way of life for a long time. Even though I feel as though I had God's blessing when I quit, not seeing the immediate outcome has become unnerving.

Over the past year, I have had a lot of "talks" with God about what sort of job I would like to have. In visualizing my perfect job, I had some ideas that seemed outlandish at the time. For example, while I was teaching it seemed I never had any time for myself. I would think about my job morning, noon and night because there was always something I needed to do or something to get. This was in addition to my other full time job--being a wife and mother. I told God that in my perfect job, I would have the time to read, study and think. I would be free to ponder and meditate. I would have time to seek His insights. As I added more detail to my perfect job, I realized I still wanted to be a teacher. I would just rather teach insights and coping skills to adults as opposed to teaching children their ABC's. The problem is, where do you get a job doing that? Who has a job where they have time to sit and think and study about topics they are interested in? What sort of job teaches insights and coping skills to adults? I don't want to be a counselor or a preacher. It seemed hopeless.

This hopelessness, coupled with my husband's inability to work because of severe back problems, has made me stress over money and my lack of a job. I also felt guilty, seeing how I am able-bodied. Unfortunately, I have spent the past few weeks fruitlessly worried about what was not happening.

This week, I was able to see some sun through the clouds because of a change in my husband's circumstances. Even though he continues to see doctors and visit the physical therapist because of his back issues, he has had the opportunity to begin working part time with the the possibility of working full time down the road. Together, we had prayed that God would present him with an opportunity that would give him some flexibility for doctors appointments and take his inability to sit or stand for long periods of time into consideration. We also asked that it have some meaning and purpose. The job, amazingly, fits all of these factors! It even found him!

As I realize how well God has taken care of us in the past and still continues to take care of us now, I am overwhelmed. Knowing that he took care of my husband's needs in such a powerful way helps me remember that He has me in hand also.

This morning while my husband went to his physical therapy session, I sat in a lawn chair with my feet in the grass and a book in my hand. The book was one of the personal development books I so dearly love to read and study and think about. There I was, sitting in the sunshine with the time to reflect and think about those things that are important to me. My needs were being met, and I was filled to overflowing with ideas for topics I can write about and present in my new business venture--a personal development website. All of a sudden it hit me. I was actually in the middle of working my dream job!

I knew leaving the security of a regular job would test my faith. Still, I felt called to do something different with my life. The road is bumpy and I can't see what is beyond the bend, but as I struggle to follow that road God continues to lead me step by step. I am learning to trust Him and follow His guidance. He is helping me overcome the bumps in the road.

Living In the Now

I am a planner. I enjoy thinking about what I want in life in order to plan what direction to move in. Knowing where I want to go keeps me calm. The underlying thought is, "If I am moving I should arrive at my destination eventually." Sitting still makes me nervous. If I sit still too long I begin to worry bad things will happen. As my imagination is very fertile, these types of thoughts can overwhelm and depress me. It occurs to me that my answer to being happy lies in my ability to live in the now.

My normal thought processes run something like this: I want to be a published author, an inspirational speaker, and life coach. Once I have come to this conclusion, my next step is to ask myself how I can logically get there. First, I have to write something. Then I have to find someone willing to publish it. I also need to polish my resume and start to work on materials that I can use to teach people those things I would like to help them learn. Anyway, you get the idea.

My depression comes when my logic finds flaws in my plans. For example, my logic tells me that it often takes people years before they are able to find someone willing to publish what they write. Consequently, this is not a good way to make immediate income. My logic also tells me that I have no experience teaching groups of people (other than my tour guiding experience and some classroom and church school instruction). Who would take me seriously? Who would value what I have to teach? These are honestly the sorts of ideas that run through my head when I try to make plans. Is it any wonder that I get overwhelmed?

The only place I am free of all those negative thoughts is right here, right now. In the now, I am comfortable. My needs are provided for. God is with me, in the silence. He is taking care of me. I am listening. I am trusting Him to inspire me if there is something I truly need to do now. He knows the desires of my heart. I believe He wants to bless me. God can truly see all the things I can't. He can make a way where there seems to be no way. In the now, I trust Him to lead the way.

The bible says much this same thing. From Matthew 6:31-34 (KJV) comes this message:
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Simply stated, our Heavenly Parent knows our needs. He supplies all the necessities of life when we need them. If we seek to find His will--His kingdom, He will supply the rest.

When I am in the now, I am waiting for His inspiration and guidance. When I am in the now, I don't have to trust in my flawed self. When I am in the now, I am the protected child of a Heavenly Parent. I am content, and that is all I need to be.

Signposts Found!

I am not a patient person. Even though I feel I've received the go ahead from my Source to rest for a while, it hasn't been easy to do. I'm still looking for signposts to indicate my direction in life. Yesterday was a banner day for signposts! I'm rather in awe of it!

Let's start with the second signpost. One of my favorite self-help gurus is Dr. Wayne Dyer. Over the years, books like The Power of Intention, You'll See It When You Believe It, and Manifesting Your Destiny have helped mold some of my beliefs. He recently came out with a book called Excuses Begone. As I receive Dr. Dyer's online newsletter, I have been aware of this new book as well as a new PBS special based on it for quite some time. I missed the program when it came out last weekend on my local station (or was way too tired to stay up for it). Coincidentally, I found out it was playing this weekend on the other Georgia public television station I get on my cable. The weird part about the whole thing was I had made a mental note to watch it at 7:00pm on Saturday night. Most of the time, my making a mental note of something has absolutely no impact on my actually doing it. I forget anyway. Yesterday afternoon, I managed to find a movie on SciFi that intrigued me, so I watched it to its conclusion. I began channel hopping again hoping to find something else. Then I looked at the clock, which read 7:00. Somehow, my 43-yr-old brain made the connection that there was a program I wanted to watch--Dr. Dyer!

I enjoyed listening to his perspective on the excuses we use to keep us from following our life's purpose. He talked about obstacles such as "I can't afford it", "I'm too busy", "It will take a long time" and "It's too risky" that we use every day to limit what we do. (These happen to be the excuses I personally use.There are others.) As Dr. Dyer continued to talk, I realized that this whole process I am involved in (quitting my job and trying to find my true purpose in life) is my attempt at giving up the excuses that have imprisoned me for so long! By quitting my 24/7 teaching job, I got rid of the "I'm too busy" excuse. As I listen to God's voice telling me it will be okay, I stopped listening to the "I can't afford it" excuse. Anyway, you get the idea. As I watched the program, one idea became clear. "You are on the right path now, Cindy. Stay the course!" The TV program was a signpost!

The first signpost of the day was actually more profound, and much more focused on my life's calling. Several days ago, I was inspired by an idea for a children's picture book. A reoccurring phrase came to me, followed by tons of different thoughts that all fit this central theme. As the words flowed into my head (and I assure you they did flow as nothing in my writing has ever done before), it occurred to me that not only was it possible to make a book out of it, but if I worked it right I could make a whole series of children's books out of it! The possibilities excited me as I sat to write some of these thoughts down. Friday evening I actually typed some of them out on the computer. Saturday morning, I opened an email from my mom. As I watched the PowerPoint presentation from the email, I realized it was a signpost! The subject of the PowerPoint was the subject of my book! Even though it was not expressed like my book is starting to shape up, I got goosebumps as I realized that the subject matter is indeed relevant to people today. As I do not believe in coincidences, I knew this was indeed a signpost!

I don't claim to have all the answers for my life. The future is very blurry, and I still have no idea what lies down the road. I do believe it is time for me to write these stories down. I doesn't necessarily mean they will be immediately published and income had. My experience has taught me not to try to anticipate God's plans for my life. Nothing ever happens like I imagine it. The stories will be published in God's time and in His way. I just know it is time for me to write them. I found the signpost.

Sweeping the Dust

I spent the day cleaning out my classroom and helping my employer rearrange major pieces of furniture. It was quite exhausting (I have to admit I am sadly out of shape), but at the same time it was also exhilerating. There is something very rewarding about clearing out the dirt and grime and making a fresh start. Granted, the room won't be mine in the coming school year, but it feels good to know that the new teacher will come into something fresh.

Part of my job today was to help my boss pull up some old, nasty carpeting. The dust that accumulated under it could almost have filled up the room's sand table. (It made me wonder just how long that carpet had been there.) As I swept up the dirt, a sudden feeling of elation swept over me. The actions felt like a metaphor for my life--I was ridding myself of the dirt that had accummulated in my life and making room for something much more beautiful.

I still don't know exactly what I'm going to do with my life. I know my ultimate goal is to be a writer, but there are a few things I might also like to do along the way that would use other talents I have and add value to the world. I do know it is my time to try.

I am going to start by taking care of myself--physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I'm going to eat better, take daily walks, and most importantly take time to listen. I need to reconnect with my Source (which I usually call God). I believe He has been there. My life has just been so crazy lately that I can't hear Him clearly. Hopefully, when I take the time to be silent, I will hear Him leading me.

This is my chance to clear out the dirt of my life, and I am taking full advantage of it. I have already asked. He has said, "Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened. Ask and ye shall receive." In the next few months, I am fully expecting to find His answer for my life, and I am finally willing to walk through those doors He opens for me.