Individuals who are born with natural talents, like artists and singers, amaze me. I wonder what it would feel like to paint a masterpiece or sing marvelously. However, I appreciate that we are all here for a reason, each having our own unique talents making life beautiful and interesting. We each have special gifts, passions and purposes.

I believe passion and purpose are everything. If we lose sight of our passion and purpose, we will not be fulfilled, and in turn, other parts of our lives will be affected. Think back to your youth. Most of us had hobbies and individual interests. Some of us were athletic, studious, artistic or social butterflies. We blended and felt more comfortable with certain cliques than others. We were open to stepping out of our comfort zones, made new friends, had minimal worries, endless energy and a sense of adventure. As we get older, it’s natural for our focus to drift away from hobbies and youthful interests. As the saying goes: Life gets in the way!

Life may change as we get wrapped up in the daily grind of work/home life, but it’s important not to lose sight of ourselves and our spark from within. Pause a moment and ask yourself a few questions: What makes me happy? What am I good at? If I didn’t have to work and had more free time, what would I like to do? What is something I’d like to learn? What makes me feel alive? What am I passionate about? What is my purpose?

I was not born with an obvious natural talent, like an artist, and I sometimes feel like I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, but as the years pass I feel that my true purpose continues to become clearer. My health battles started at 5-years-old and my passion and capability of helping others was not revealed until my 20s. Over the course of my life and health issues, I’ve gathered knowledge and compassion that has helped to make a difference in the lives of others. Maybe my purpose is to endure hardships so others know they are not alone. Perhaps my special gift is empathy and my talent is endurance and the way in which I share my life with others. My passion has taught me that the more I give, the more I get.

Did reflecting on the above questions reveal something new or remind you of what has always been in your heart? Passion is something we look forward to doing; purpose is something that motivates and excites us when we awake in the morning. Your answers don’t have to be world-changing or impact thousands of people. There are endless reasons to be passionate and, in return, we are gifted with purpose. Whether grand or small, they are all important. I encourage you to find yours and live passionately and purposefully.

“When you see what you’re here for, the world begins to mirror your purpose in a magical way. It’s almost as if you suddenly find yourself on a stage in a play that was written expressly for you.”   – Betty Sue Flowers

What is your passion and purpose?