What's Your Passion?

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A Maximum Balance forum for sharing your ultimate dream or ideal in life.

I think because of the self

I think because of the self help industry in our culture, we are sold the idea that we must have a passion, have a purpose...and sometimes we get SO involved in lists, worksheets, delving into analyzing our lives, that is reminds me of Lennons' lyrics or quote....."Life is what happens, while your making other plans". I used to worry about my sole purpose etc and then reallized this. VERY FEW OF US (%-wise) will have a "purpose" that is what culture considers "deep, meaningful, etc...we compare ourselves to the cream of the crop...the inventors, the great leaders, the great philantrhopists," instead of embracing each day and being kind to those around us. Being a good parent and role model is INVALUABLE and just as important as some of our "heros" who found their passion. I look in my child's eyes when they say i am the best, and try to believe it...just something to think about. That is just an example...it does not have to involve parenting....being balanced is so much of what finding your "purpose" is all about...because if all areas of your life are balanced, for one, that is a great achievement in this world! and two, then you are being the best you can be to offer to the world and yourself.

GoodKarma: You pose very

GoodKarma:

You pose very good points in your post. I dont think there is any problem with just being who you are unless who you are is unhealthy, unbalanced and.or destructive in nature. Or more than that - you are in a situation that is unhealthy, unbalanced or destructive. One other point I waanted to raise was about the "self help" industry as you put it. What if you are in a situation where you can't see the forest for the trees? How then are you going to help yourself when you can't even see past the tip of your nose? That is where venues like this come in very helpful as well as counselors and coaches. Accountability can be the most important thing one does to find balance. I am always striving for that balance you spoke about so that a

Sincerely,
Philip A. Foster, MA
Life Coach
Maximum Change Coaching
http://www.maximumchange.com

I agree . I have employed a

I agree . I have employed a coach and I myself love using coaching and self help techniques, books...to "clear the path", see the forest, as you said. For myself, i didnt realize how much i actually "do" and am passionate about, until I used some worksheets, and discussions with a coach!

On the plane ride home last

On the plane ride home last evening I sat next to a guidance counselor from Michigan. We were talking about how she places kids into college, and she emphasized how hard it was to convince college-bound freshmen that they should focus on taking a lot of classes to truly identify their passion versus just 'doing the requirements'. I certainly regret that I did not experiment with more subjects during college. Has anyone 'gone back' to night school or similar not to get another specific degree, but just to dabble?

My absolute passion is to

My absolute passion is to help others discover a greater life. This is rooted in my own passion for a successful life. I believe that all too often we live mediocre lives because we have grown to believe and often convinced ourselves that we are destined to the life we are living. What amazes me about all of the successful people I've met and studied, each of them "believed" that they could become more tomorrow than they were today. The greatest distance we all must often travel to secure our goals and dreams is often comprised of the very six inches between our ears. Once we overcome our own belief system and replace it with a more healthy and balanced system – we can overcome our mediocrity and become more than we ever imagined.

Sincerely,
Philip A. Foster, MA
Life Coach
Maximum Change Coaching
http://www.maximumchange.com

I have a lot of things I am

I have a lot of things I am passionate about. But in terms of what is my "passion"-- anything that connects me to my soul. Examples would be music (both playing it on the piano and listening to it), dance, writing, and my connections with other people. In generally, I think I am a very passionate and emotional person. It's easy for me to be passionate about many goals-- my most recent being to run a marathon.

Right now, my ultimate dream

Right now, my ultimate dream is to know what my passion truly is in life. I was watching the Masters and thought it must be interesting to be a golfer or anyone that truly excels at one thing, and just 'know' what your calling in life is. Then again, I'm sure when they hit a slump, they have the same doubts that I do.

I know I'm good at speaking in front of others. I can rapidly understand difficult topics. I want to be a business starter. I enjoy nature and being outside, but not in excess. I also enjoy sitting and reading quietly.

With 3-6 months of free time, I might consider working harder on some of my half-started novels. Or maybe I would try and see if a single sport could become a passion (kayaking or biking or who knows).

I can relate to this...I too

I can relate to this...I too dream every day that I will find my passion. There are so many things I'm curious and passionate about but don't know what the ONE thing is that I will be able to build a meaningful career/life's work around. I admire and envy those that are born knowing what they want to do. Do you think that every one has one really special gift that they can share with the world? How do we find that one passion?

Part of me also wonders if

Part of me also wonders if the luxury of our lives in America gives us this freedom and luxury to wonder about a passion. Many other on the planet likely do not have the time to worry about something not related to working/eating/providing. Not sure if I should feel guilty about that or not. Certainly I did to deserve that luxury, but also not something I did to not. I'm not sure if we all have 1 gift to share. We're made up of a lot of the same 'stuff', so maybe the gift is just trying.