It is a worthy endeavor when a person is willing to pause in their life and really seek out what feeds their soul. A person's journey on the road to discovering their passion may be a fairly simple and straightforward one, or it may be more complex and confusing. Neither journey is wrong, but there are some simple mistakes you can avoid to make the journey easier. Here are three things to avoid -
Making It Too Logical
Some decisions are best made in your head, logically. But some choices need to be made from the heart. If you think about it, most people don't find inspiration in their head, but rather feel the emotion somewhere closer to the heart. Making the decision to find your passion may feel somewhat daunting; you don't want to make any mistakes. So, you plan it out and "decide" what your passion is instead of truly finding your passion.
Finding your passion is best when it is a heart felt journey. Give yourself time, gather your courage, and use meditation, experimentation, trust, and emotion. You will know you're on the right track when you feel excitement in your entire body, mind and soul - that is your passion.
Getting Stuck in Fear
Buddha said "there are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting." Fear can hold us back in so many ways: fear of making a mistake and making the wrong choice can paralyze us from moving forward. But being held back by fear, waiting for a safe and clear answer, is a disservice to your soul. So many times a "mistake" is really just what we need to learn an important lesson. I don't believe there are wrong choices, just different life lessons with each path. It's all part of the journey; you must begin somewhere. Why not begin right now, from right where you are.
Trying to Figure It Out All by Yourself
Any journey is more difficult alone, and we all have voices of doubt that we must fend off. In your efforts to find your passion, you would do well to have a companion, such as a mentor, coach, or guide. There are wonderful resources, coaches, and mentors out there, especially on the Internet. Many have taken their own passion journey already. There are also groups you can join to explore your passion around adventure, books, travel, and much more!
To begin your passion exploration, you will need to be willing to start with a blank slate. Avoid looking back; there is no need to look at the past and mistakes you may feel you have made. Start with a few simple questions. "What am I good at?" "How do I enjoy spending my time?" "What stirs my soul?"
Don't be surprised by fear and doubt in this process, just be willing to acknowledge those emotions, and send them on. Be patient with the process. It is a journey after all. A worthwhile journey, first to your heart and then on to your passion, happiness, inspiration, and joy.
"Follow your passion, and success will follow you." - Arthur Buddhold
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Barb Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor, certified Life Optimization Coach, and a certified Nutrition Advisor. Her own journey to find her health, purpose and passion in life has inspired her to help others. Barb's most recent book, "Total Body Health and Wellness," explores the basics of good health, which she believes must include tending to the body, mind, and spirit. To help others find their direction in life, an important element for a healthy mind and spirit, Barb offers a free Personal Passion Action Plan at [http://www.livetheinspiredlife.com]http://www.livetheinspiredlife.com. This free guide is available to anyone who is ready to explore the question of "what's next in my life journey?"