"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 indispensableguidance. 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."

你与生俱有一种激情，它能使你在你生活中做一些独特的事。正如神那样他赋予人类全宇宙取之不尽的供应能量。正如你母亲子宫里未出生的胎儿，你使它围绕你旋转，而它在你体内生存和呼吸，而这甚至是在小宝宝的肺部发育之前。

它赖以生存的是--无需规定的思想。激情是人类的礼物，尽管你已经忘记激情是什么，怎样获取激情，但它就这样存在在你体内。关键是，释放你的激情是一个过程。看看以下逐步的过程，并按其步骤实践，你就会发现活得有激情并不只是一个梦想。

1 花更多的时间独处。

当很多人围绕在你身边，或即使只有一个很有能力的人在你身边，这都会让你很难了解什么可以使你兴奋。因为如果外界力量比你强大，你就很容易受到影响。

把这段独处的时间看作是自我照顾的时间，放松和尊重自己。要是你选择呆在家里，就为自己营造一个不杂乱而又平静的空间。要是你外出，就找一个确保不会被打扰到的地方。

2 提高你的谙熟性。

无论你选择了什么地方，环顾四周，学习由衷地感激你周围的环境。这是你选择的空间，所以要去熟悉所有会成为你空间的细节。用你的感官去感受他的美丽，气味，纹理和声音。

期待微妙的经历。你闻到你床边的蜡烛的气味时，这可能在你口中又勾起一种独特的味觉。你的第六感（本能）也将发挥重要的作用。利用它使你的空间随着时间变得更有感染力。净化你神圣的空间，以便陶冶出最好状态的你。

3 沉思。

一旦你在你的空间里感到轻松舒适，那么合上你的双眼。集中注意力感觉你就是纯净的能源，而正因此，你是激情的源泉。让这暗示渐渐地渗透到你心里。让这真实令你欢笑和感觉到高兴。你并不是你的躯体、你的思想或你的信念。真实的是，你是永恒的、创造性的能量。其实，重视自己，每样事物都只是暂时的躯壳。

4 写下你的启示。

一旦你能够把自己沉浸在你是核心的思想里面，就把这些想法写下来。探讨这种思想带给你的感受如何。如果你真的"获得了它"，你会感觉十分的强大。

这是宇宙提供的力量，不是任何人自我创造的。这就是说无论你选择做什么，你都会得到宇宙无穷的能量作为支撑。了解到这一点，你将不再为了什么使你真正开心的问题而踌躇不前了。

写下你的激情，你不会想抱着遗憾离开这个星球的吧。你在这世上被赋予生命，以你自己独一无二的方式来诠释你自己。你周围的一切都希望你成功！

深入发掘，写下你爱做的事。尽你的最大努力收起你的担忧。唯一的要求是你的动机必须是纯粹的。如果你读到这里豁然开朗的话，那么你已经有清晰的意向了。

5 尝试你的选择。

好，是摆脱这里，享受真正的物质世界的时候了。参加一个陶瓷课程，听一场摄影讲座，加入一个写作社团，去深海捕鱼等等。世界就可以让你从中获取乐趣。

到现在你的本能已经做好准备为你提供必不可少的指导了（如果你已经实行了以上的步骤）。佯装神力（神，精神，我们的内在）是出于驾驶座位上，你呆在后座的时间也就结束了。如果你过去常常害怕怎样才能得到一个固定的位置--那现在，你只要简单地确信你会走向正确的方向就好了。

如果你走了一个弯路（或者说你选了一个你不喜欢的课程），下一次选另外一条路（另一个课程）就好。没有错误--只有奇遇和经历。享受过程中的乐趣。

6 让你的激情变清晰。

宇宙喜欢独特。如果你清楚你想要什么，这些东西就很可能会出现在你面前。许多人发现他们会被卡在这儿。你可能发现你有许多兴趣，但却不确定其中是否有一样能让你全心全意地追求下去的。

知道这是一个过程后，当时机成熟时你会知道你需要做的是什么。迹象会开始浮现出来。一开始这些迹象是模糊不清的，后来会慢慢变得透彻的。只要你能融于你独处的时间，诚恳地思考，写下你的答案，这都能揭露事实。

7 肯定。

一旦你拥有激情，你就会希望（也必需）追求它并把它转化为肯定形式。把这按大小试穿......

"我是一个天才的画家，我的工作是探索各阶层人士的生活。"

写下你的断言，大声说出来，录下他们并在你工作或驾驶的时候放来听。让他们属于你个人特有的。当你练习时（写或朗读），注意你自己的感受。

这些感受是极其重要的。研究动机的学者厄尔南丁格尔有这样的名言：

"我们对想法或目标感觉越热切，那想法就越确信，它深埋在我们的潜意识，还将直接引导我们通向实现目标的道路。"

这是纯粹的积极能源，最终吸引你想要的。是的，吸引定律的确存在。所以，你要怀着积极的想法和近在咫尺的感受，他们将为你带来帮助。

8 勇于尝试。

行动。冒险。这通常是许多普通人的另一块绊脚石。但没有这一步，你的激情只能仍是一个未实现的梦想。

如果你真的面临这步，现在不要让你自己停下来。当时机成熟，一个明智的风险可以让你的人生从平凡变得惊世骇俗。

你真诚而又投入地完成以上的步骤后，你将感觉有所支持去采取行动来点燃你的激情，这就像一个自然的进展。有影响的人和环境会出现，你会在淋浴时灵机一闪，或者你会跑去看望差不多十年未见的老朋友。

这一步是关键，它凝聚了所有迄今为止你所使用的智慧。

这里用简洁的分点方式，简短回顾了这次历程所有的步骤：

1 了解你自己。

2 抱以积极的感受独处。

3 知道你周围的情况。

4 意识到这些是赐予。

5 表达感恩之心。

6 用信念战胜害怕。

7 聆听你的直觉。

8 释放你自己的期望，交由你的神来引导。

9 继续梦想的同时，采取行动释放你的激情。

任何的旅程最困难的都是出发，而真理是，你准备好了你就会出发。这是你完全释放你的激情激活你的生活的唯一途径。所以当你感觉你的基础足够的强大，你的立足点明确时--去！不要回头看。这引述一句来源不明的名言能很好的总结：

"梦想就像星星......你可能永远无法触摸他们，但如果你跟随他们，他们将引导您到您的命运。"
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