What, Truly, Is Your Passion? - By: Elliott Roberts

Today's world is more focused on the fast paced style that we have set for ourselves than the dreams and hopes that once fueled our aspirations. We get so very caught up in our responsibilities that the obligations and expectations of our lives makes for a more important goals than our true passions. Many people feel that if they focus on themselves they are being selfish and cutting the attention to the other aspects of their lives that they have deemed more important, thus leaving room for those inner most desires lacking.

The book shelves are full of self-help publications that aim at offering insight into the best ways to improve overall happiness and fulfillment in life. The heart of these techniques lies in questions we all must ask ourselves. What is your motivation? What are the things that make you smile? What did you want to be when you grew up?

In order to find happiness, we all need to look deep into ourselves and find the things that make us who we really are. Those things that make us smile and whistle when no one else seems to be feeling our happiness. These are the things that need to be the center of our worlds, these are the passions that need to fuel our lives.

The dutiful son or daughter who gives up dreams of acting to attend college and get a "real job" will eventually conform to those expectations. But will he or she be happy sitting behind a desk day in and day out? The doting mother who gives up finishing her Masterís degree to take care of the kids will love her children with all her heart and provide them with all their needs and wants. But will she really find solace in mommy and me groups and story time at the local library? The caring husband who sets aside his hobby of collecting model trains because it is viewed as childish will eventually forget the dust covered trains in the attic. But will his passion for tinkering with the shiny trains be placated by repairing the broken dishwasher and changing the oil in his wifeís car? We often agree to what is expected of us and drown out the voice inside our head and hearts. But the truth is – you don'­t have to be irresponsible or unreasonable to fulfill your passion.

Discovering your passion may actually be difficult if it's been dormant for an extended period of time. It may have even changed. To answer the question, what are you passionate about, may require that you spend time and energy seriously considering your likes and dislikes. Think back to your youth and the things that interested you as a child or teenager. Think about projects or hobbies you worked on that left you exhilarated. Write in your journal or look through past journal entries and find the pattern of things that leave you feeling better about your day. If you listen to your heart, the answer will reveal itself rivaled by little else.

Once you discover your passion, pursue it! For some, it may be scary to step outside of the norm and onto a path less traveled. But personal growth only happens when we extend ourselves beyond our usual boundaries. You don'­t have to neglect your responsibilities to pursue your passion. It may simply be to take an art class at a local community center or you may find that you wish to switch careers and become a graphic designer. Determine what you are passionate about and then find ways to embrace it.

There is no amount of money in the world that can measure up to the payment your passion can provide. While the payment may not increase your checkbook or give you that promotion at work, it will give you back a sense of yourself that has been lost for a very long time.

Do not let another moment pass you by before you take the time to think, what am I passionate about? What unfulfilled dreams do I still have and how can I achieve them? Take this moment to sit back and remember what makes you smile. When you take away all the expectations and obligations, who are you? Find your true self and be your true self. Pursue your passion with passion.

Today's world is more focused on the fast paced style that we have set for ourselves than the dreams and hopes that once fueled our aspirations. We get so very caught up in our responsibilities that the obligations and expectations of our lives makes for a more important goals than our true passions.

Elliott Roberts, a contributor at Good Plum, gives his thoughts about being productive, business development, and attracting success at www.goodplum.com.