Live a Life You Love

Discover Your Passion and Find True Fulfillment

We all crave a life filled with passion and fulfillment—a life where we feel deeply engaged, energized, and fully alive. This feeling, often called the "flow state," is where time fades away, and we are completely absorbed in the present moment. It’s the sensation a musician feels lost in their music, an artist immersed in their creation, a writer captivated by their words, or a cook lost in the rhythm of the kitchen.

But how many of us actually live in this state? From a young age, we're often steered towards a predefined path: excel in school, secure a stable job, and build a family. While these are valuable aspects of life, they don't always align with our individual passions and talents. We can end up feeling lost, disconnected, and wondering, "What am I doing with my life?"

I've been there. For years, I filled my days with distractions. It can manifest as mindless scrolling Facebook or binge-watching Netflix, or just a general sense of dissatisfaction. After moving to the United States and becoming a stay-at-home mom, I found myself at a crossroads. When my daughter started school, the pressure to find a job intensified, but I had no clear direction. I applied for positions without passion, and my lack of enthusiasm was evident.

Fortunately, I had the privilege of a supportive partner, which allowed me the space to reflect and reconnect with activities I loved: cooking, dancing, reading, writing, and speaking. I rediscovered the joy of expressing myself through words at Toastmasters, the energy and happiness that Zumba dance brought, and the satisfaction of crafting stories through writing.

This journey had its twists and turns. I experimented with a cooking channel, but I quickly realized something—I enjoyed cooking, but I didn’t enjoy filming and editing. The process felt unnatural and took the joy out of cooking. It was a valuable lesson: sometimes, passions are best kept as hobbies.

But the core message remained: I needed to actively pursue what brought me joy and a sense of purpose. This realization wasn't a sudden epiphany, but rather a gradual shift that stemmed from a deep commitment to finding my "element" – the work that truly resonated with me.

This commitment is crucial. Many people spend years asking, "What should I do with my life?" without taking concrete steps to find the answer. They attend a few seminars, skim a few books, and then fall back into old routines. True change requires a willingness to do whatever it takes – to read, explore, experiment, and even stumble along the way.

I understand that not everyone has the privilege of stepping back to reflect or having a partner to provide support. Many people face the challenge of providing for their families, which makes it harder to focus on finding their passion. But even in such situations, there’s still a way forward. Start small. Dedicate an hour each day or even a few hours per week to a side hustle or activity you love, whether it’s after work or during your free time. Gradually build it up. When your income from that pursuit surpasses what you make in your 9-to-5, you’ll have the confidence and security to transition fully into it. It’s a slower path, but it’s worth it if it means building a life of fulfillment and purpose.

My own journey involved years of reading, reflection, and exploration. It wasn't always focused, and I often lacked the seriousness needed to truly break through. But once I truly committed, things shifted rapidly. Within a month, I had prototyped my first idea – writing and speaking about life – and found myself energized and excited to pursue this path. One unexpected bonus of finding what I love is that I stopped wasting time scrolling Facebook or binge-watching Netflix. I don’t feel the need to “kill time” anymore because I’m excited about what I’m doing. Working is like playing for me now.

But my path is not your path. The road I took may not work for you. That’s the beauty of our individuality—each path is unique. What matters most is your level of commitment. Your passion is out there, waiting for you. It might take you an hour or a few years, but it’s worth it—far better than spending your life living someone else’s dream. True contentment comes from aligning your life with your authentic self.

Are you serious enough to find it? If the answer is yes, then the journey begins now. Don’t wait for the perfect plan or the ideal circumstances. Take the first step today: explore, experiment, and seek out resources that resonate with you. Here are a few that helped me along the way:

• Ikigai: This Japanese concept explores the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

• Finding Your Element by Sir Ken Robinson: This book encourages you to identify your unique talents and passions.

• Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans: Based on a Stanford course, this book uses design thinking to help you build a joyful and meaningful life.

• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl: This book shares Holocaust experiences and highlights how finding purpose, even in suffering, is key to survival. It introduces logotherapy, focusing on meaning through love, work, and resilience.

• The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner: This book reveals the habits of the world’s longest-living people, focusing on purpose, healthy eating, staying active, and strong community ties. It offers practical tips to live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.

• StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Gallup: A strengths assessment that identifies your top talents and how to apply them.

These are just starting points. The real work begins when you commit to the search. It’s about balancing personal fulfillment with responsibilities, finding ways to contribute to something larger than yourself, and embracing the journey with courage and an open mind.

Your passion is out there, waiting for you. The question is: are you serious enough to find it?

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