by Rev. Mark Anthony Lord
As a society, we are evolving from working just to survive, to thirsting for experiences of meaning and contribution. We ask questions like “What is my life for? What are my unique gifts, and how can I more fully express and share them? What’s my purpose?”
Finding the answers to these questions, and courageously moving toward their fulfillment, is necessary for our souls to truly feel complete. Yet rather than feel inspired by these questions, many find themselves frozen in fear and trapped by the terror of failing before they even begin.
People hide behind the belief that they first need to know exactly what they’re here to do, and then they will become passionate and take that courageous step forward. The opposite is true. You do not need to know, you just need to go!
How? First, make the decision to take action.
You can begin living your life with passion and purpose today, right where you are, without having one more penny in your pocket or new shoes on your feet. You can choose today to ignite a new passion for living, and if you do your very best to honor that choice, you will quickly discover that you don’t have to know how, where or what—your passion alone can and will open new doors.
I have seen those who have decided to live with passion quickly become happier, healthier and more prosperous. And, to their surprise, they find themselves either having a renewed joy for what they are doing, or they easily find their way into a brand new, more fulfilling experience. They stopped saying, “I don’t know what my purpose is,” and instead say, “I am amazed! I don’t know how I got here, but I’m living my purpose, and I feel so alive!”
Second, recommit and recommit and recommit.
Seldom is there ever a one-decision, miraculous breakthrough that causes your entire world to change. Instead, one miraculous moment of decision is followed by many, countless choices to recommit, stay the course and not give up.
This is where life reveals the enormous difference between the passionate and the passive. If you fail to fan the flame of passion with recommitment, you will eventually get lazy and become susceptible to the haze of mediocrity, which will lull you back into its grayscale world.
Finally, follow those who live in their passion.
Study them, look to them, and if you can, hang out with them. Surround yourself with the images and energy of that which you want to become. That’s super easy to do—YouTube passionate people and learn about their lives. If you do this, passion will grow and bring more purpose to your life.
Rev. Mark Anthony Lord is an internationally-recognized author, speaker, teacher and founder of the Bodhi Spiritual Center in Chicago, Illinois. He currently resides in Los Angeles, where he has founded Pride 2.0, a ministry focused on healing the world from homophobia. Visit his website at pride2point0.com.
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