It seems like September marks the end of fun in our culture. When
summer ends, we often put away our fun sensibilities along with the rest
of our summer things to make room for the fall season. Why do we tend to
get serious once September hits? Is it the Back-to-School campaign? Is
it the weather change—the shorter days and the longer nights? Whatever
reason it may be, I say it’s time for a new way. I say we move toward
incorporating that summer fun into every season of the year and every
season of life. Here, we visualize a life where the lanes of play and
work have merged and our activities are truly a reflection of our inner
being and purpose. Simply stated, we are living life with pure passion.
Why is it so difficult for some of us to live our lives with pure
passion? Well, I believe there are times in our lives, where we are not clear about who we are, what we love, and what we hope to
accomplish. The only thing that we are truly clear about is that our
lives could be better, but since it could be so much worse, we feel like
we really shouldn’t complain. Most of us believe if we have a roof
over our heads, food on the table, and clothes on our back, wanting
anything more is just plain greedy and selfish. No wonder we have such
trouble imagining what a passion-filled life would look like. And if we
can’t see it, then rest assured, we will not achieve it.
Now, I do know people who truly know what a passion-filled life looks
like, but have convinced themselves that it is out of their reach. They
have armed themselves with an arsenal of reasons to justify why they can
never reach their dream. "It’s not realistic." "I
have a family to support." "I’m not smart (or talented)
enough." "I’m too old." "It’s too much
work." The real issue is not whether their reasons are valid,
but what’s really at the core of these beliefs.
Regardless of whether you’ve ever visualized your own dream-life or
even thought it in the realm of possibility, I want you to know that you
have every opportunity to live a life that is exciting, fun, and truly
fulfilled. "What would it look like?" you may ask.
"How
can you attain it?" All valid questions, but the only question you
really need to ask is "Are you ready?" Are you ready to face
not only your fear of failure, but also your fear of success? Are you
ready to start thinking about ways to move towards your ideal life,
instead of justifying reasons for staying put in your present one? Are
you ready? If so, the following seven steps will place you on the path
to living a life with pure passion.
- Listen to what your limiting beliefs are telling you then
transform them into empowering thoughts.
- Take time to discover what you love and all that you would like to
experience in this lifetime.
- Reflect on the value that your dream life will bring you, your
family, and your community
- Talk to people you know that have experienced the life you want,
or read biographies of individuals that have had lives similar to
your desired life.
- Draw out your treasure map with the steps needed to reach your
passion-filled life .
- Equip yourself with a support group that will encourage and guide
you throughout your journey.
- View life as one big open field, run around and play, just play.
Why even take the steps, some may ask, why is so important to live
life with pure passion?
Real simple, if you live life any less than who you are, you not only
cheat yourself from this gift called life, but you cheat the world. How
technologically advanced would we be today if Edison hid his talents away?
What mode of communication would be available, if Bell limited himself
due to his fears? Those are questions that we will never have to answer
because Edison, Bell, and countless others decided to pursue their
passion, now why don't you.
Written by Chinwe Osuagwu
Edited by Tracey Rose
Copyright 2002. One Vision Incorporated, Alexandria,
VA. All rights reserved.
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