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the Nature of Finding your Passion

By on September 10, 2013
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By Nicole Moorey.

 

I always felt disheartened when someone would ask me what I was passionate about and I didn’t know.  “I like a little of everything,” I’d reply, “I like helping people.”  What does that even mean?  How am I supposed to manifest my dreams if I don’t even know what they are?

As a new student of the empowerment process and the S.W.A.T. Institute, I challenged my beliefs, healed some history and put myself first.  I was ready to look to my future and follow my passion, but what would that look like?

One sunny afternoon I wrestled with my dilemma while lying in my grass.  I was reflecting on Crystal Andrus’ wisdom about passion: “What could you think about and do every day for the rest of your life?  What do you put endless hours and effort into accomplishing?”  With the blue skies above me and the sunflowers smiling down on me, I had my ‘passion epiphany’.  I realized that I could spend the rest of my life enjoying all of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits of nature.

So how does this help you, my backyard and backcountry sisters?

In today’s society, more of us live in an urban environment than a rural one, technology keeps us indoors most of the time, and we’re less healthy due to our withdrawal from the great outdoors.  The good news is that by taking even the smallest steps (like reading a book on your patio, or taking a stroll around the block) you can improve your body, mind, heart and soul.  Also, whether you’re an ‘outdoorsy type’ or not, nature has a lot to teach about pursuing your greatest life, outside or otherwise.

Because my passion is nature, I decided to put it at the centre of my life every day for a year.  In the first two months of daily dates with Mother Nature, I’ve already developed a unique perspective on personal empowerment.  I’m happy to share the first of my ‘outdoor insights’, and invite you to follow my progress along the way.

Now it’s your turn to find and follow your passion.  

My ‘passion epiphany’ came to me when I realized I would put ridiculous hours and energy into getting my family ready for fleeting camping trips.  In the spirit of this revelation, here’s my trip planning analogy to get you on your way to living your dreams!

 

Decide where you’re going.

This summer I learned that what you choose to do on your vacation, and what you think about while on holidays, indicates what you’re passionate about in life.  When you’re relaxed, in new surroundings, or observing life from a different perspective, you’ll find that many of your interests and dreams easily surface.  What is your vacation telling you about the passion you could pursue?

Choose your map.

To ensure you’re headed in the right direction, be sure your values are incorporated en route.  To determine yours, I recommend Crystal Andrus’ values exercise from her book Simply . . . Empowered.  You can also make a ‘vision collage’, an enlightening visual picture about where you want to go in life.  What values and experiences do you see on your map?

Design your trip plan.

Plan to put your passion into your day, every day, and make it a priority.  Perhaps you’ll choose one large goal like I did, or several smaller goals.  What will you do? With whom? When?  Stretch yourself to try activities old and new, in places near and far.  Don’t forget to leave room for unanticipated fun along the way!

Pack your bags.

For the best trip, bring the right gear.  Maybe a journal for your insight?  A camera for memories?  Great books to better understand your surroundings?  Nutritious food and water to sustain you? I found these essential to keeping me on my path and moving forward.  What will you bring to make the most of your purposeful adventure?

Buy a mosquito net.

Plan for any possible obstacles so they don’t stop you in your tracks.  A poignant lesson for me was realizing I don’t need to suffer through the bugs like I’ve done my whole life – I can just buy a net and be done with the misery.  What’s buzzing in your ear and how will you put a stop to it before it bites you?

Happy camping!

It’s time to enjoy your passionate trip – savour time with friends, celebrate accomplishments, feel grateful for your surroundings and have the time of your life!  Determining what’s important to you and spending the rest of your life doing it is the greatest adventure you can take.  Best of all, you’re sure to motivate others to live their greatest lives, just by living the life of your dreams.  So get out there and pursue your passion . . . maybe even with nature!

Yours outdoors,

Nicole

 

 

nicoleNicole Moorey invites her backyard and backcountry sisters to reconnect with nature while living more joyful, healthy and fulfilling lives.  Through daily dates with nature, she’s creating an empowered life and sharing snapshots of insight along the way: www.facebook.com/NicolewithNature. Nicole studies personal empowerment with the S.W.A.T. Institute, has mobilized thousands of people to help one another for 15 years as a Volunteer Administrator and enjoys adventures with her family in majestic Northwestern Ontario.

 

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