As you begin your journey into recovery, you may find it difficult to find the passion that will sustain you through sober living. Rest assured your passion isn’t gone. It may have taken a detour for a while, but you can and will get back on track and experience the passion in life that comes from being you.
What Is Passion?
Passion is the driving force that makes life worth living. It has the power to bring you to new heights and achieve goals you never dreamed you could accomplish. In life, it is often associated with the work you choose to do to support yourself and your family, but that’s not all passion is.
Passion is the force that gets you out of bed in the morning so you can meet the day with joy. It is the inner desire to learn and succeed. Many believe that passion comes from a higher power that lovingly guides you through life. Finding that passion is not difficult if you take the time to think about who you really are and what you love. Try these tricks for uncovering hidden passions you may have forgotten existed:
- Make a list of things you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t. This may include learning a musical instrument, taking up photography or writing that children’s book for your grandkids. Don’t worry that your list seems unattainable. It holds the secret to your real passions.
- Make a list of activities that you enjoy that totally absorb your attention. If time flies when you are sewing or painting and you have a difficult time setting it aside when the day is done, put it on your list. Likewise, if working on cars, photography or computer graphics is your thing, add it to the list.
- Consider your natural skills. Maybe you are a sensation in the kitchen whipping up original recipes and serving the family with pride. Perhaps you are great with numbers or have a knack for words. Maybe you’re good with gardening, designing with flowers or creating sensational parties. Write these down.
- What causes do you feel strongly about? Perhaps you are a champion save-the-earth supporter who enjoys growing organic foods. Or maybe you feel the education of our children is a more worthy cause. Helping the homeless, feeding the poor, or helping raise money for those in need. Make a list of those causes you care enough about to get involved.
Putting It All Together
Now that you have completed your four lists it is time to look for common threads. Try to group items from each group into common areas of passion. For example, if your added writing a children’s book as something you’ve always wanted to do, time flies when you are interacting with children, you are a natural communicator and you feel strongly about education, your passion may lie in working with or teaching children.
If you aren’t sure what your passion is, that’s okay. It will come in time as you participate in your 12-Step Program and continue on your journey to recovery. Give yourself time to explore options and try out new ideas. Your passion may lie in unexplored areas that only can be uncovered by trying out new things. Try keeping a journal of your reactions and feelings about new activities and add them to your lists regularly.