“Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.”

- Amiel, Journal, 17 December 1856

Passionate woman

Note: This guest post was written by freelance writer and entrepreneur Kim McGinnis. You can check out her website here.

You were born with a passion to do something unique with your life. As a divine being it was given you from the infinite supply of the universe. As an unborn child in your mother’s womb, you had it swirling all around you, and it lived and breathed inside of you, even before your little lungs developed.

It survives by simply being — no thinking required. Passion is a gift from the Universe. It’s in you, even though you may have forgotten what it is and how to access it. The key to uncovering your passion is a process. Take a look at this step-by-step process and then actually practice the steps. Before you know it will be living with passion rather than just dreaming about it.

1. Spend more time alone.

When you surround yourself with lots of people, or even one very strong individual, it is difficult to know what excites you. It is easy to become influenced if outside energies are stronger than yours.

Consider this a time for self-care. Be easy and respectful of yourself. If you choose to hang out at home create a space that is uncluttered and peaceful. If you go outside, make sure it’s an area that you will not be disturbed.

2. Heighten your awareness.

No matter where you choose, look around and learn to really appreciate your surroundings. This is a space you selected, so be aware of all the details that made it your place of choice. Use your senses to take in the beauty, scents, textures, and sounds.

Expect your experiences to be subtle. When you catch the scent of the candle by your bedside, this may invoke a distinct taste in your mouth. Your sixth sense (instinct) will also play an important role. Use it to make your space more appealing with time. Refine your sacred space so that it brings out the best in you.

3. Reflect.

Once you are comfortable in your space, close your eyes. Put your focus on the fact that you are pure energy and, because of that, you are a vibrational being. Let this really sink in.

Allow this reality to make you smile and feel delighted. You are not your body, your mind or your beliefs. The thing that is really you is eternal, creative energy. Everything else is a temporary body with an ego attached.

4. Write down your revelations.

Once you are able to wrap yourself around the idea of who you are at the core, write these thoughts down. Explore how this makes you feel. If you really “get it” you will be feeling very powerful.

This is a power supported by the universe, not one created from your ego. That means whatever you choose to do you will have the support of the infinite energy of the Universe. Knowing this you will be less likely to hold back about what would make you truly happy.

Write down your passions, no holds barred. You do not want to leave this planet with regrets. You were given life here on earth to express yourself in your own unique way. Everything surrounding you wants you to succeed!

Dig deep and write about what you would love to do. Do your best not to allow worries to crop in. The only stipulation is that your intention is pure. If you have read this far with an open mind, you already have a clear intention.

5. Experiment with your choices.

Okay, it’s time to get out there and have some fun in the real material world. Take a pottery class, attend a lecture on photography, join a writer’s group, go deep-sea fishing, etc, etc. The world is your oyster.

By now your instinct should be gearing up (if you’ve been practicing the previous steps) to provide you with indispensable guidance. Pretend that divine energy (God, Spirit, Our Inner Source) is in the driver’s seat. Your backseat driver days are over. If you used to be frightened about how you were getting to a certain location before — now, you simply trust that you will be led in the right direction.

If you take a wrong turn (or pick a class you decide you do not like), simply take another road (another class) next time. There are no mistakes-only adventures and experiences. Have fun on this ride.

6. Bring clarity to your passion.

The universe likes specifics. If you are clear in what you want, these things will more likely show up for you. Many people find themselves stuck here. You may find that you have many interests, but you are not sure if there is one thing you wholeheartedly want to pursue.

Know that this is a process, and when the time is right you will know for sure what it is you need to do. Signs will begin to present themselves. At first they will be subtle, and later, crystal. As long as you are consistent in your alone time, honest reflection, and writing your answers will be revealed to you.

7. Affirm.

Once you have the passion you wish (and need) to pursue, put it in affirmation form. Try this on for size…

“I am a talented painter, and my work is sought after from people from all walks of life.”

Write your affirmations down, say them out loud, record them, and listen to them when you are working out or driving. Make them personal and specific. When you practice them (writing or speaking), notice the feelings that come up for you.

These feelings are extremely important. Consider this quote by motivational author, Earl Nightingale:

“The more intensely we feel about an idea or a goal, the more assuredly the idea, buried deep in our subconscious, will direct us along the path to its fulfillment.”

This is pure positive energy that is going to ultimately attract what you want. Yes, the law of attraction really does work. So, carry your positive thoughts and feelings close by, they will serve you well.

8. Get your feet wet.

Act. Take a risk. This is usually another stumbling block for a lot of folks. But without this step, your passion will remain an unrealized dream.

If you have come this far, do not allow yourself to stop now. An intelligent risk when the timing is right, can take your life from mundane to awesome.

When you apply the above steps with sincerity and commitment you will have such a show of support that taking action to live your passion should seem like a natural progression. Influential people and situations will show up, you will get a brilliant idea in the shower, or you will run into an old friend that you haven’t seen in nearly decade.

This step is pivotal, and it uses all the wisdom you have accessed thus far.

Here is a brief review of all the steps broken down in a concise way to help you on your journey:

1. Get to know yourself.
2. Be one with your positive feelings
3. Be aware of what is showing up for you.
4. Acknowledge these as gifts.
5. Express gratitude.
6. Replace fear with faith.
7. Listen to your intuition.
8. Free yourself of expectations and surrender to your divine guidance.
9. Take action using your unleashed passion while continuing to dream.

The hardest part of any journey is getting started and the truth is you will start when you are ready. This is the only way you will uncover your passion and live your life fully. So when you feel your foundation is strong enough and your footing is sure — go for it! Just don’t look back. This quote from an unknown source sums it up nicely:

“Dreams are like stars… you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.”

你(ni)與(yu)生(sheng)俱(ju)有(you)一(yi)種(zhong)激(ji)情(qing)，它(ta)能(neng)使(shi)你(ni)在(zai)你(ni)生(sheng)活(huo)中(zhong)做(zuo)一(yi)些(xie)獨(du)特(te)的(de)事(shi)。正(zheng)如(ru)神(shen)那(na)樣(yang)他(ta)賦(fu)予(yu)人(ren)類(lei)全(quan)宇(yu)宙(zhou)取(qu)之(zhi)不(bu)盡(jin)的(de)供(gong)應(ying)能(neng)量(liang)。正(zheng)如(ru)你(ni)母(mu)親(qin)子(zi)宮(gong)裏(li)未(wei)出(chu)生(sheng)的(de)胎(tai)兒(er)，你(ni)使(shi)它(ta)圍(wei)繞(rao)你(ni)旋(xuan)轉(zhuan)，而(er)它(ta)在(zai)你(ni)體(ti)內(nei)生(sheng)存(cun)和(he)呼(hu)吸(xi)，而(er)這(zhe)甚(shen)至(zhi)是(shi)在(zai)小(xiao)寶(bao)寶(bao)的(de)肺(fei)部(bu)發(fa)育(yu)之(zhi)前(qian)。

它賴以生存的是——無wu需xu規gui定ding的de思si想xiang。激ji情qing是shi人ren類lei的de禮li物wu，盡jin管guan你ni已yi經jing忘wang記ji激ji情qing是shi什shen麼me
，怎zen樣yang獲huo取qu激ji情qing，但dan它ta就jiu這zhe樣yang存cun在zai在zai你ni體ti內nei。關guan鍵jian是shi，釋shi放fang你ni的de激ji情qing是shi一yi個ge過guo程cheng。.看看以下逐步的過程，並按其步驟實踐，你就會發現活得有激情並不隻是一個夢想。

1 花更多的時間獨處.

當dang很hen多duo人ren圍wei繞rao在zai你ni身shen邊bian，或huo即ji使shi隻zhi有you一yi個ge很hen有you能neng力li的de人ren在zai你ni身shen邊bian，這zhe都dou會hui讓rang你ni很hen難nan了le解jie什shen麼me可ke以yi使shi你ni興xing奮fen。因yin為wei如ru果guo外wai界jie力li量liang比bi你ni強qiang大da，你ni就jiu很hen容rong易yi受shou到dao影ying響xiang。

把(ba)這(zhe)段(duan)獨(du)處(chu)的(de)時(shi)間(jian)看(kan)作(zuo)是(shi)自(zi)我(wo)照(zhao)顧(gu)的(de)時(shi)間(jian)，放(fang)鬆(song)和(he)尊(zun)重(zhong)自(zi)己(ji)。要(yao)是(shi)你(ni)選(xuan)擇(ze)呆(dai)在(zai)家(jia)裏(li)，就(jiu)為(wei)自(zi)己(ji)營(ying)造(zao)一(yi)個(ge)不(bu)雜(za)亂(luan)而(er)又(you)平(ping)靜(jing)的(de)空(kong)間(jian)。要(yao)是(shi)你(ni)外(wai)出(chu)
，就(jiu)找(zhao)一(yi)個(ge)確(que)保(bao)不(bu)會(hui)被(bei)打(da)擾(rao)到(dao)的(de)地(di)方(fang)。

2 提高你的諳熟性.

無(wu)論(lun)你(ni)選(xuan)擇(ze)了(le)什(shen)麼(me)地(di)方(fang)，環(huan)顧(gu)四(si)周(zhou)，學(xue)習(xi)由(you)衷(zhong)地(di)感(gan)激(ji)你(ni)周(zhou)圍(wei)的(de)環(huan)境(jing)。這(zhe)是(shi)你(ni)選(xuan)擇(ze)的(de)空(kong)間(jian)，所(suo)以(yi)要(yao)去(qu)熟(shu)悉(xi)所(suo)有(you)會(hui)成(cheng)為(wei)你(ni)空(kong)間(jian)的(de)細(xi)節(jie)。用(yong)你(ni)的(de)感(gan)官(guan)去(qu)感(gan)受(shou)他(ta)的(de)美(mei)麗(li)，氣(qi)味(wei)，紋(wen)理(li)和(he)聲(sheng)音(yin)。

期待微妙的經曆。你聞到你床邊的蠟燭的氣味時，這可能在你口中又勾起一種獨特的味覺。你的第六感（本能）也將發揮重要的作用。利用它使你的空間隨著時間變得更有感染力。淨化你神聖的空間，以便陶冶出最好狀態的你。

3 沉思

一(yi)旦(dan)你(ni)在(zai)你(ni)的(de)空(kong)間(jian)裏(li)感(gan)到(dao)輕(qing)鬆(song)舒(shu)適(shi)
，那(na)麼(me)合(he)上(shang)你(ni)的(de)雙(shuang)眼(yan)。集(ji)中(zhong)注(zhu)意(yi)力(li)感(gan)覺(jiao)你(ni)就(jiu)是(shi)純(chun)淨(jing)的(de)能(neng)源(yuan)，而(er)正(zheng)因(yin)此(ci)，你(ni)是(shi)激(ji)情(qing)的(de)源(yuan)泉(quan)。讓(rang)這(zhe)暗(an)示(shi)漸(jian)漸(jian)地(di)滲(shen)透(tou)到(dao)你(ni)心(xin)裏(li)。讓(rang)這(zhe)真(zhen)實(shi)令(ling)你(ni)歡(huan)笑(xiao)和(he)感(gan)覺(jiao)到(dao)高(gao)興(xing)。你(ni)並(bing)不(bu)是(shi)你(ni)的(de)軀(qu)體(ti)、你的思想或你的信念。真實的是
，你是永恒的、創造性的能量。其實，重視自己，每樣事物都隻是暫時的軀殼。

4 寫下你的啟示。

一旦你能夠把自己沉浸在你是核心的思想裏麵，就把這些想法寫下來。探討這種思想帶給你的感受如何。如果你真的“獲得了它”，你會感覺十分的強大。

這zhe是shi宇yu宙zhou提ti供gong的de力li量liang，不bu是shi任ren何he人ren自zi我wo創chuang造zao的de。這zhe就jiu是shi說shuo無wu論lun你ni選xuan擇ze做zuo什shen麼me，你ni都dou會hui得de到dao宇yu宙zhou無wu窮qiong的de能neng量liang作zuo為wei支zhi撐cheng。了le解jie到dao這zhe一yi點dian
，你ni將jiang不bu再zai為wei了le什shen麼me使shi你ni真zhen正zheng開kai心xin的de問wen題ti而er躊chou躇chu不bu前qian了le。

寫xie下xia你ni的de激ji情qing
，你ni不bu會hui想xiang抱bao著zhe遺yi憾han離li開kai這zhe個ge星xing球qiu的de吧ba。你ni在zai這zhe世shi上shang被bei賦fu予yu生sheng命ming，以yi你ni自zi己ji獨du一yi無wu二er的de方fang式shi來lai詮quan釋shi你ni自zi己ji。你ni周zhou圍wei的de一yi切qie都dou希xi望wang你ni成cheng功gong！

深(shen)入(ru)發(fa)掘(jue)，寫(xie)下(xia)你(ni)愛(ai)做(zuo)的(de)事(shi)。盡(jin)你(ni)的(de)最(zui)大(da)努(nu)力(li)收(shou)起(qi)你(ni)的(de)擔(dan)憂(you)。唯(wei)一(yi)的(de)要(yao)求(qiu)是(shi)你(ni)的(de)動(dong)機(ji)必(bi)須(xu)是(shi)純(chun)粹(cui)的(de)。如(ru)果(guo)你(ni)讀(du)到(dao)這(zhe)裏(li)豁(huo)然(ran)開(kai)朗(lang)的(de)話(hua)，那(na)麼(me)你(ni)已(yi)經(jing)有(you)清(qing)晰(xi)的(de)意(yi)向(xiang)了(le)。

5 嚐試你的選擇。

好hao，是shi擺bai脫tuo這zhe裏li
，享xiang受shou真zhen正zheng的de物wu質zhi世shi界jie的de時shi候hou了le。參can加jia一yi個ge陶tao瓷ci課ke程cheng
，聽ting一yi場chang攝she影ying講jiang座zuo
，加jia入ru一yi個ge寫xie作zuo社she團tuan，去qu深shen海hai捕bu魚yu等deng等deng。世shi界jie就jiu可ke以yi讓rang你ni從cong中zhong獲huo取qu樂le趣qu。

到現在你的本能已經做好準備為你提供必不可少的指導了（如果你已經實行了以上的步驟）。佯裝神力（神，精神，我們的內在）是出於駕駛座位上
，你呆在後座的時間也就結束了。如果你過去常常害怕怎樣才能得到一個固定的位置——那現在，你隻要簡單地確信你會走向正確的方向就好了。

如果你走了一個彎路（或者說你選了一個你不喜歡的課程），下一次選另外一條路（另一個課程）就好。沒有錯誤——隻有奇遇和經曆。享受過程中的樂趣。

6 讓你的激情變清晰

宇(yu)宙(zhou)喜(xi)歡(huan)獨(du)特(te)。如(ru)果(guo)你(ni)清(qing)楚(chu)你(ni)想(xiang)要(yao)什(shen)麼(me)，這(zhe)些(xie)東(dong)西(xi)就(jiu)很(hen)可(ke)能(neng)會(hui)出(chu)現(xian)在(zai)你(ni)麵(mian)前(qian)。許(xu)多(duo)人(ren)發(fa)現(xian)他(ta)們(men)會(hui)被(bei)卡(ka)在(zai)這(zhe)兒(er)。你(ni)可(ke)能(neng)發(fa)現(xian)你(ni)有(you)許(xu)多(duo)興(xing)趣(qu)，但(dan)卻(que)不(bu)確(que)定(ding)其(qi)中(zhong)是(shi)否(fou)有(you)一(yi)樣(yang)能(neng)讓(rang)你(ni)全(quan)心(xin)全(quan)意(yi)地(di)追(zhui)求(qiu)下(xia)去(qu)的(de)。

知(zhi)道(dao)這(zhe)是(shi)一(yi)個(ge)過(guo)程(cheng)後(hou)
，當(dang)時(shi)機(ji)成(cheng)熟(shu)時(shi)你(ni)會(hui)知(zhi)道(dao)你(ni)需(xu)要(yao)做(zuo)的(de)是(shi)什(shen)麼(me)。跡(ji)象(xiang)會(hui)開(kai)始(shi)浮(fu)現(xian)出(chu)來(lai)。一(yi)開(kai)始(shi)這(zhe)些(xie)跡(ji)象(xiang)是(shi)模(mo)糊(hu)不(bu)清(qing)的(de)
，後(hou)來(lai)會(hui)慢(man)慢(man)變(bian)得(de)透(tou)徹(che)的(de)。隻(zhi)要(yao)你(ni)能(neng)融(rong)於(yu)你(ni)獨(du)處(chu)的(de)時(shi)間(jian)，誠(cheng)懇(ken)地(di)思(si)考(kao)
，寫(xie)下(xia)你(ni)的(de)答(da)案(an)
，這(zhe)都(dou)能(neng)揭(jie)露(lu)事(shi)實(shi)。

7 肯定

一旦你擁有激情，你就會希望（也必需）追求它並把它轉化為肯定形式。把這按大小試穿……

“我是一個天才的畫家，我的工作是探索各階層人士的生活。”

寫下你的斷言
，大聲說出來，錄下他們並在你工作或駕駛的時候放來聽。讓他們屬於你個人特有的。當你練習時（寫或朗讀），注意你自己的感受。

這些感受是極其重要的。研究動機的學者厄爾南丁格爾有這樣的名言：

“我們對想法或目標感覺越熱切
，那想法就越確信
，它深埋在我們的潛意識，還將直接引導我們通向實現目標的道路。”

這zhe是shi純chun粹cui的de積ji極ji能neng源yuan，最zui終zhong吸xi引yin你ni想xiang要yao的de。是shi的de
，吸xi引yin定ding律lv的de確que存cun在zai。所suo以yi，你ni要yao懷huai著zhe積ji極ji的de想xiang法fa和he近jin在zai咫zhi尺chi的de感gan受shou，他ta們men將jiang為wei你ni帶dai來lai幫bang助zhu。

8 勇於嚐試

行動。冒險。這通常是許多普通人的另一塊絆腳石。但沒有這一步，你的激情隻能仍是一個未實現的夢想。

如果你真的麵臨這步，現在不要讓你自己停下來。當時機成熟
，一個明智的風險可以讓你的人生從平凡變得驚世駭俗。

你(ni)真(zhen)誠(cheng)而(er)又(you)投(tou)入(ru)地(di)完(wan)成(cheng)以(yi)上(shang)的(de)步(bu)驟(zhou)後(hou)，你(ni)將(jiang)感(gan)覺(jiao)有(you)所(suo)支(zhi)持(chi)去(qu)采(cai)取(qu)行(xing)動(dong)來(lai)點(dian)燃(ran)你(ni)的(de)激(ji)情(qing)，這(zhe)就(jiu)像(xiang)一(yi)個(ge)自(zi)然(ran)的(de)進(jin)展(zhan)。有(you)影(ying)響(xiang)的(de)人(ren)和(he)環(huan)境(jing)會(hui)出(chu)現(xian)，你(ni)會(hui)在(zai)淋(lin)浴(yu)時(shi)靈(ling)機(ji)一(yi)閃(shan)
，或(huo)者(zhe)你(ni)會(hui)跑(pao)去(qu)看(kan)望(wang)差(cha)不(bu)多(duo)十(shi)年(nian)未(wei)見(jian)的(de)老(lao)朋(peng)友(you)。

這一步是關鍵，它凝聚了所有迄今為止你所使用的智慧。

這裏用簡潔的分點方式，簡短回顧了這次曆程所有的步驟：

1 了解你自己。

2 抱以積極的感受獨處。

3 知道你周圍的情況。

4 意識到這些是賜予。

5 表達感恩之心。

6 用信念戰勝害怕。

7 聆聽你的直覺。

8 釋放你自己的期望，交由你的神來引導。

9 繼續夢想的同時，采取行動釋放你的激情。

renhedelvchengzuikunnandedoushichufa，erzhenlishi，nizhunbeihaolenijiuhuichufa。zheshiniwanquanshifangnidejiqingjihuonideshenghuodeweiyitujing。suoyidangniganjiaonidejichuzugoudeqiangda
，nidelizudianmingqueshi——去！不要回頭看。這引述一句來源不明的名言能很好的總結：

“夢想就像星星……你可能永遠無法觸摸他們，但如果你跟隨他們，他們將引導您到您的命運。”