These days, is it OK just to get by? If you're doing just fine, that's good isn't it? Better than most? Or, is it possible to think that we're happy, that we are living our best possible life and not ever know that there's so much more out there for us, that true happiness eludes us?
We may feel a little niggle that there's something we are meant to be doing, almost as if it's something we have forgotten but what? I'm working with a team of authors at Hay House to look at changing our lives, what it means to us, how to know what we really want and how to make it happen.
Scientist and author, Dr David Hamilton suggests listening to your heart; "Go with what feels right. Ask yourself, "If there were no limits, no restrictions, no rules, and I had all the resources I wanted, what would I do?" It's a nice way to tease out of us what is really important in our lives. I find that when we live our passion, life takes on meaning that it didn't have before because what we're doing is aiming in a particular direction. We have an internal reason to do what we do. The first step is really to ask ourselves the above question. The second is to ask, "What can I do today that can move me in the direction of living my passion?" The third is to do it."
I strongly believe that we all have a particular talent or skill and we are here to use it and share it with the world. The thing that we naturally excel at, that we love and are passionate about - this is the thing that we should express most clearly. Living out our passion, the thing that sets us alight really makes us shine. This light attracts every perfect and synchronistic opportunity to us and when we are living on purpose, aligning what we are meant to do, to what we actually do; then everything falls in to place easily. When we are happy, it enables everyone around us to be happy and it gives them permission to shine too. Keeping within our limits as we see them (to help others, to make others feel better) is really only destructive to them. Shine and others will be able to live in the light.
Coach and author Suzy Greaves shares that "Many of us grew up living our lives by someone else's rules, playing the roles that society demanded we played in order to be 'happy'. We did all the 'right' things, lived by all the 'right' rules. So we can't understand why we are resentful and exhausted. To start living a passionate life, you need to dig around and start getting back in touch with what you love, what you enjoy and what make your heart sing."
Many of us yearn to live out our passions but find excuses as to why we can't - we'll do it when we've lost 10lbs, or I haven't got the time, I've got to look after him or her or it or them, or the big one: I have to earn more money, I can't afford it. Business coach and author of Wire Yourself for Wealth, Laura Leigh Clarke says that following your passion is a precursor to discovering real wealth - "Studies have shown you increase your probability of becoming a millionaire (just one rough measure of financial success) by over 500% when you do what you love, and allow the money to follow."
It's really important to know that when it's right, it will happen. Celebrity Hypnotist and author Joseph Clough agrees - it's about drawing a line in the sand: "We can find our passion by seizing this opportunity, all change starts when we take responsibility of this moment and make the empowering decisions from here on. When we live a life of passion we find exciting new opportunities to expand our happiness in all areas of our life. The crucial first step is to know that we believe in you, to take responsibility, and that now is the time to take inspired action to make this happen today."
One of the big things that keep us down is a lack of energy. We're so drained by our lives, our responsibilities that we can't muster the enthusiasm to shake things up. Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach explains that: "One of the main problems that most adults struggle with is lack of energy, so when it comes to pursuing something bigger or better, such as changing one's life, for many it can simply feel too far out of reach. Rejuvenating ourselves from the inside out can help to boost our energy and enthusiasm for life so that we can seriously entertain our passions. It gives is the increased concentration and better mental clarity, patience and inner peace that we need. The first step to making the change is simple but profound - it's to decide. Decide to be healthy, decide to become all that you can be, decide that your life is worth living and is worth living in its shiniest most exciting version, because you really do get to choose."
Business coach Laura Leigh Clarke adds that "Finding our passion is a bit of discovery work, and a bit of creative work. In the discovery space, we are constantly uncovering more and more of what actually makes us light up. The other part is creative, in that we can make it up. We don't have to have a linear route to get to our passion. We can just fancy doing something because it is fun, and just go do it. When you look inside and take note, and then go do fun stuff, you can't help but run into your passion along the way! When we live our passion we become more of who we are. Bizarre synchronicities happen to make our dreams unfold in the reality in front of us. We have more energy. We attract more people to our cause."
We are each responsible for our own happiness, for demonstrating what can be done when we shift our beliefs for the better and truly know what living our life on purpose means.
Louise Presley-Turner is a coach, author and motivational speaker. She is organising International Change Your Life Week; 24-30 September 2012. It is free to register and take part and expert coaching will be given by Hay House authors, coaches and experts Dr David Hamilton, Suzy Greaves, Karen Knowler, Laura Leigh Clarke, Gabrielle Bernstein, Joseph Clough and Louise Presley-Turner.