CHAPTER ONE

Who Am I?
Why Am I Here?

Finding my passion has been a journey of life itself. Aslong as I can remember, I have tried to figure out what my passion is, often having to pay a high pricealong the way. I have sacrificed opportunities for high-paying jobs and free time for myself to relax in pursuit of a more invigorating life.

From attempting different careers to pursuing different lifestyles, I have tried everything I could to discover my passions. Unfortunately, I have had to experience the burden of trying out things that I did not like in life, though in time I came to see this burden as a luxury—that I had time to experience so many different things and had the freedom to explore. I think that this is something that we often take forgranted—the amount of choice that we do have in the modern world. Sometimes it can feel like trying out new things to discover that they don’t work is a waste of time. I have come to realize that what felt like setbacks or wastes of time were important learning experiences on my journey. Surprisingly, even to this day, I am still searching for more things that excite me to the core. I have discovered truths about what makes me happy, what makes me feel alive, but I am still in pursuit of a better, more fulfilling life and a better me, and this is somewhere I will always be.

These goals may sound all too familiar to you: the process of starting over and over again in search of what you want. You may have read other books on the subject and are still stuck. For some of you, this process has involved changing careers, changing friends, beliefs, or lifestyles. Some of you may have woken up one morning and decided to move to a new place to find your passion. Some of you may not be at this point yet. These are huge changes, but the good thing is that it is not as elusive as it may seem if you persevere.

What makes you think you have found your life passion? How do you know that you have reached your purpose? Is it your finances? Is it when you get the promotion you have wanted?

First of all, passion in life is not something that comes to you. You don’t just wake up one day and hear your life passion call out, “Hey, pal, you have found me.” No, that is not the way passion is discovered.

It’s your job and your duty to find your passion in life. It is a journey, sometimes a difficult process. What is it that passionately motivates you? What could you do for years without getting bored? What could you do for the rest of your life without the reward of payment? If you had the total financial freedom It’s Time to Start Living with Passion!to choose anything, what would it be? That right there, could be your passion.

The sensation that comes with it, when you do find true passion, is surreal. You automatically know that “this is it!”

What Lights You Up?

When you find your passion, you’ll experience peace and satisfaction. It is as if you are entering an entirely new world and chapter in your life. You can see the possibilities and the impact before you even begin. It will get your blood racing.

A perfect example would be a day at an exciting job. After you have worked on a project, you come outside, and you see the world differently — the joy that you have is almost indescribable. The gut feeling that you get is just different. You start seeing life through different lenses, and your perspective in life is beautiful and pristine. You don’t feel the resentment that comes from working in a place or on a project in which you find no enjoyment.

It’s like a brand-new day. Everything is distinctly different. The gloom, the sadness, and the boredom have all gone away. You wake up and smile because you are happy and eager to try different things.

You are eager and confident to try exciting challenges. The sensation, the feeling, the vision, the way you see things is completely changed.

You are happy, and when you approach people, your environment and energy changes. It’s like you have been elevated to a higher level.

Passion for life is more than just a job, positive relationships, or fulfilling hobbies; it is a mindset, and it is the result of tenacity and grit. Passion for life comes from
following your bliss, despite the setbacks or challenges. If you follow your passion, you will reap the rewards. If you settle for mediocrity, you will pay the price. Many people find their passion when they know that their actions can change the world. What talents do you possess that you can give to others, or what skills can you develop?

To find life passion, we all have to experience things we like and don’t like, but we suffer if we don’t follow what motivates us. Until you find your life passion, your life is always a struggle; sometimes you find yourself wondering, “Am I supposed to be alive? What is my purpose?”

On the other hand, when you do find your life passion, your erspective changes. You make the daily decision to take part in something you enjoy. Today you can make a difference in another person’s life. Today is the day to change things. Life passion, from my perspective, is seeing the beauty in things and living through it.

One fall day, I was driving through a back road to pick up my daughter, Saïdah, from kindergarten. I was struck in awe when I took a moment to see the beauty of the changing It’s Time to Start Living with Passion! leaves in that crisp fall afternoon. I have certainly experienced many fall seasons before, but in that moment, it felt more spectacular to me. With life passion by your side, you can take a moment to reflect on the flowers, the trees, and the leaves.

Imagine driving through the same backroad without life passion by your side; you are, like, “How annoying! Why are these leaves falling? They are obstructing my view. They are making a mess of everything. I’m going to have to spend so much time raking leaves this weekend at home!” Life passion is life itself. It is the price and the reward. It is what life is all about. Regardless of the circumstances, you must find what makes you happy, work on it, and believe that you can change the world.