Discover Your True Passions in Life

By Barbara Ashcroft B.A.M.ED.

“There are two great days
in a person’s life-
the day we are born
and the day we discover why.”
Wm. Barclay

Four out of five people are not passionate about what they are doing in life. Is your life fulfilling? Are you passionate about what you do? Do you feel that you live a purposeful life? Are you in touch with what really makes your heart sing? What dream do you want to start creating today? When you follow your passions, you will love your life. Your dreams already exist. They are just waiting for you to find them…to bring them into the world.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our same old, same old, that we lose sight of what really matters to us, what motivates us and touches our soul. Busyness and daily routine take over and then we die. Life has a way of happening with or without your consent. There are no reruns. Most people, on their death beds, do not regret their mistakes, but their lost opportunities. The good news is that it doesn’t matter what age you are. There is always time to get in touch with your passions…better late than never. If you ask yourself how many good years you think you might have to live on this planet, you get a sense of how important it is to make these years purposeful. Why would you waste one day spending your valuable time doing what is not feeding your soul? What truly gives you meaning? If today were your last day to live, what would not be fulfilled in you?

If you think that you can’t identify your passions and gifts, think back to your early years. What were your hobbies and interests? What do others usually compliment you on? What talents do others recognize in you? What feedback does the universe give you? What are you doing when time seems to fly by? When do you feel light as a feather, content and at peace? The answers to these questions will tell you what is close to your heart. This, then, is what you need to go after.

Even if you aren’t able to spend your whole day in your bliss, you must find time to nourish yourself with those things about which you are passionate. Your body cries out for it. In fact your body will rebel if you do not use your natural talents and gifts.

Stress, physical ailments and depression often set in when our authentic selves are buried for the sake of security.

If you are struggling to identify your true passions, The Passion TestTM is an incredibly valuable tool for clarifying what’s really important to you in your life. It provides you with a systematic way to identify those things that truly bring you joy. The test is very personal and will provide wonderful insights for any age. Begin to feel excited and motivated about your purpose. Greet each day with energy and enthusiasm. Get in touch with your true destiny.
Join a Passion TestTM Seminar or take the two-session private program. You will be amazed at how clear your life focus will become. When you discover your true passions, focus on your special gifts, and add your uniqueness to the lives of others, your life will be enriched.

“When you are clear, what you want will show up in your life,
but, only to the extent you are clear.”
Janet Attwood

The Passion Test is a trademark of Enlightened Alliances created by Janet and Chris Attwood.
Barb Ashcroft is a certified Passion Test facilitator.

Journey to Joy
http://www.barbashcroft.com/

Permission for reprint of this article is given with the inclusion of this statement:
Barb Ashcroft offers Journey to Seminars and private consultation for those who want to think more positively, discover their true passions, and feel fully alive. She may also be booked for professional speaking engagements. Contact Barb 905 814-6434 barb@barbashcroft.com

Who Did You Use to Be?

By Barbara Ashcroft B.A.M.ED.


Are you really in touch with your authentic self? We all start out in life with longings and interests that often get pushed aside for what we call "life". What was it that stirred your heart at 6, 10, and 15? Do you even remember? What were your childhood aspirations? Have they been buried so long that you can't even recall them?
In her book, Something More, Sarah Ban Breathnach encourages us to become our authentic selves. She points out that our lives at this moment are a direct result of choices we made once upon a time. "Conscious choice is creative, the heart of authenticity-unconscious choice is how we end up living other people's lives."
Sometimes we make choices based upon what we think we should be doing, what our parents wanted us to become, what society has encouraged us to pursue, what we feel we need to do to gain prestige, power and status, and of course we chase after the best job that will afford us the luxuries of our consumer-oriented materialistic culture.

But have you ever asked yourself what truly brings you joy? Something more is needed to fill our spiritual hunger. We often feel that something crucial is missing, but can't figure out what it is. What is it that will fill this sense of emptiness? Sarah suggests we ask ourselves, "If I died tonight, what would I regret not having done today? If we are to lead deep, rich, fulfilling lives that are anchored in what's important, what's precious, what's real, so that our souls can soar, passion must fuel our flight."

Are you settling for a passive, rather than a passionate life? We often lose ourselves little by little, day by day settling for "something else" instead of Something More. Sarah reminds us that, "each one of us has enough power embedded in our being to set the world on fire." Many of us have that "someday" syndrome. Someday I'll write a book. Someday I'll start my own business. Someday I'll take up piano. Elizabeth Kubler Ross points out, "when you live as if you'll live forever, it becomes too easy to postpone the things you know you must do."
Someday comes sooner than later.
The Passion Test will help you identify your "someday" projects. You will get a real sense of what you personally value and hope to accomplish in this life-even it seems out of the question.


"It's a funny thing about life. If you refuse to settle for anything less than the best, that's what it will give you."

W. Somerset Maugham

The Passion Test TM is a trademark of Enlightened Alliances created by Janet and Chris Attwood.

Permission for reprint of this article is given with the inclusion of this statement:
Barb Ashcroft offers Journey to Seminars and private consultation for those who want to think more positively, discover their true passions, and feel fully alive. She may also be booked for professional speaking engagements. Contact Barb 905 814-6434 barb@barbashcroft.com