By Susan Kavanaugh

“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” — Peter Dostoyevsky

Many people believe that there is a purpose to their existence, that their birth is not a random act, nor their experiences. Living consciously will help you to move closer to understanding what you believe and are willing to embrace. When you meet your conscious self, begin to explore what your intentions in life may be. Often, those who are in organized religion easily believe that they have a firm grasp of their purpose. This may be quite true. Whatever you believe your purpose to be IS your purpose.

A great deal of research supports findings that children have a unique temperament and personality as soon as they are born. Growing up, children will express their interests even apart from the environment within which they are living. Gender identity may surface early in life. Natural talents may be evident quite soon. Certainly, preferences for food and sleep and comfort are easy to gauge in infants and young toddlers. As the imagination begins development, additional unique qualities appear in us. Whattoexpect.com states that imagination can be seen in children as young as 18 months.

I once read a very good book called “Be Yourself. Everyone Else is Taken” by Mike Robbins. The title is the perfect way to acknowledge that every single soul on this earth is individual and exclusive unto itself. Every person will have different passions, and each will have a unexampled purpose (accepting the belief that we are here for a particular reason).

If you are someone still searching to understand why you exist, begin by looking at your passions.

So what are your passions? What means the most to you? How do you find joy? Examples of passions include satiation of physical, spiritual, and creative needs. Perhaps one person is passionate about French cuisine, both cooking and tasting. Another may feel passionate about engaging in church activities. Or, music may stimulate someone so deeply that he or she learns to play an instrument, or sing, or compose.

In some, passion arises when they are cognizant of the needs of our planet and the people inhabiting it. For those folks, watching suffering, even just knowing of it, compels them to want to assist. The motivation to give or help dates back to our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Some non-human primates also have been shown to step in during a crisis to help their kin or even humans, according to Life Science, a website founded to empower and inspire readers to appreciate the world’s every day with awe. So, essentially it’s in our DNA. But why do some people want to assist and others don’t? Those inclined to not help may be most concerned about themselves or their loved ones. And again, this goes back to survival-of-the-fittest theory. In reality, it’s all about us because even those who want to make the world a better place are seeking sustainability and survival.

Which one are you? Neither is better than the other. But the desire for survival is compelling and inherent.

If you are one of those who like to help others, then this may be where you find your passion. Passion can be fierce in some cases, gentle in others, but it is always the fuel that drives purpose and, in some cases, the lifeline to determining what our individual purposes are.

Once you have connected with your conscious self, you will be ever more alert to what triggers thoughts and emotions. You can move and live and breathe in this world understanding where you want to be and why you want to be there.

Do you want to serve others? Do you want to protect our environment? Do you want to know your Creator?

It can take many years to arrive at this discernment—a matter of maturing on your own before you put two and two together. However, it’s also possible to accelerate the process by exploring your inner self with a licensed therapist, minister, or life coach. Through guided support, you’ll solve the equation sooner.

Marie Forleo, a truly engaging author, captures some interesting thoughts about passion in a piece she wrote for Oprah.com:

Here’s the problem: Passion can’t be found in your head because it lives in your heart.

And the flames of passion are fanned by engagement, not thought. Juicy, right?

Here’s what I mean: No matter how hard you try, you cannot figure out your passion by thinking about it. You need to take action and feel your way to your truth, from the inside out.

Does this resonate with you?

So why all the discussion about finding your purpose and passion, and how does it relate to driving your bottom line as a conscious business owner?

Here are four key reasons:

1.     Knowing your “tribe,” or who is like-minded in your circle of influence, will help you narrow your niche and become of greater value to those seeking what you offer.

2.     Knowing your passions will automatically drive you toward creating excellence in those areas. Who doesn’t want to be an expert in his or her area of business? If your business addresses something that fuels your passion, you won’t just have a business. You’ll be engaged in joyous, inspiring endeavors. When you feel joy, it can be infectious. People are drawn to others who radiate excitement, happiness, and even simple serenity. It’s a boat most people don’t want to miss. This will bring you more clients and increase the bottom line for your company.

3.     When you have a happy experience, don’t you feel like telling others about it? It’s similar to knowing an amazing secret and feeling compelled to share it with at least one person because it’s just so incredible that you can’t help but want to “give” it to another. When all of your new clients begin having the happy experience of who you are, what you represent, and working with you and your staff, the best possible advertising occurs. It’s the free kind of advertising that only stops when you stop: Word of Mouth.

4.     Identifying your purpose will provide clear direction for your operations. Your purpose is essentially a mission statement for your business, or at least a foundation for creating a vision and mission. All business decisions can be held up to the mission and analyzed for their adherence to the mission. You’ll find it easier to determine even the smallest of choices.

 

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