“I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.”
This is a common reaction from people, especially after hearing our speaking programs and realizing that to truly live with a childlike heart (aka Adultitis-free) one must be pursuing his/her passion. The next statement is usually, 
“I’m not even sure what my passion is.”
To quote Dwight Schrute from The Office…
“False.”
You know what it is. You may need to uncover it, but it’s there somewhere inside of you. It’s often buried under layers of hurt and disappointment, or it’s safely hidden so deeply protected from fear and self-doubt. The reason you’ve covered it up so tightly is that somehow you know that if you rediscover that passion, you will also unveil all that was neatly buried with it, which is guaranteed to be quite messy. You also know that life is soon to become uncomfortable.
If you are one of the many people who don’t know what your passion or purpose in life is, I have four questions for you to answer…
1. What gets you the most livid? What causes you to rant and steam in anger? Also, what can bring you to an emotional state very quickly? (Smiling to tears in seconds.) The causes for these extreme emotions are hints.
2. What would you love to do so much that you’d do it all day long for free?
3. What are you really really good at?
4. When’s the last time you prayed for guidance about what you are supposed to be doing with your life? If you believe in God and that there is a reason for everything, then there is most certainly a reason for your existence. Ask God to reveal it to you. He wants to lead you, but needs you to be open. (Ya know, that whole free will stuff.)
The first three answers give you major clues about your passion and purpose. The third question is the most essential step in the process.
If you are uncomfortable or confused about any or all of these questions, then I am happy to tell you that you are ready to go to the next level. Do you feel like you are ready? Well, no maybe not, but you’ll be fine. The truth is that most likely you have been convincing yourself that it’s easier to just keep your head down, to stay safetly in the boat, and not draw any attention to yourself. If you step out onto the water you may start to sink and then you’ll have an audience of people pointing and laughing.
Well, it’s time to step out of the boat.
If the answers to each of these questions came easily, then you are on the right path. Keep persisting. You will inevitably meet resistance in many forms, but also be filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
I received my first nasty comment on my blog the other day. “Anonymous” was upset about something I said, that’s for sure, but decided to express it emotionally. I delete anonymous comments that are rude, but is exciting to know that one of my posts created that much emotion and reaction. I’m doing something right. If everyone likes what you’re doing, then you’re not doing anything remarkable.
So, no, you may not be “ready,” but you never will be. The time is now.
“First you jump off the cliff and you build wings on the way down.” – Ray Bradbury
[tags]passion, purpose, Ray Bradbury, God’s will, dreams[/tags]
Welcome to the nasty comment club. I get more than my fair share of them, but as you did…delete, delete, delete..la la la!!! :)
My passion as a child was always to grow up and be a wife and mom. My teachers told me I could be so much more. (I grew up in the 80’s, the self-esteem generation!) I always wondered why I had to have some career—couldnt’ being a wife and mother be enough?
Even as an 18 year old high school senior I knew my purpose was motherhood and family life. But I felt the pressure, went to college, racked up $$$$ in loans, and ended up where I am today—at home.
I do enjoy writing, scrapbooking, cooking, gardening, and all of those things are like mini-careers at home for me, helping me to serve my family.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that women shouldn’t have careers. Not at all. But I think we need to validate mothers who choose motherhood as a career too :)
Too often we push our kids to pick careers and vocations that are “successful.” When we say successful, what we really mean is LUCRATIVE. We want them to be docotrs and lawyers for the money, baby.
Honest to goodness, if my children grow up to be hairdressers, missionaries, or the shift manager at Walmart (okay maybe not walmart, Targe) I’ll be happy as long as I know they are following their God-given passion and doing what they love to do.