The human species is a wondrously complicated creature. We are in every sense of the word – magical.
As we live and grow, we learn more about ourselves and our place in the world. I’m sure you'd agree that our self-perception shifts and changes dramatically as we live and learn through each decade of life. Looking back at how things unfolded makes all kinds of sense, but during the unfolding it certainly doesn't feel that way, does it?
For the most part, we spend our 20’s, 30’s and sometimes 40’s doing a thing we call “finding ourselves”. For me, I found a lot of limitations and boundaries. I found many things I desired, but believed were out of my reach: love, happiness, success. I found many things I told myself I didn’t deserve, so guess what? I never had them.
I’m discovering in my 50’s that as well as I think I know myself, I practically know very little. I know the ‘surface self’ really well, but the person that lies underneath all that… well, she’s just starting to rise.
She’s beginning to reveal her depth of character. She’s beginning to show me her strengths as well as her weaknesses. With each unwrapped layer, she’s bringing me closer and closer to the person I'm meant to be. She’s bringing me back to myself.
I believe that uncovering our natural 'calling’, ‘passion’ or 'purpose' as many refer to it, has the ability to lead us back to our true selves. It takes some time to peel back the layers of living however, to discover exactly what that thing is.
In my opinion, it’s the thing that:
• lights a fire in our belly
• makes us bounce out of bed in the morning and fall back in at night exhausted with satisfaction
• keeps our mind stimulated and our bodies healthy because we want and need the energy to do what we desire to do
• opens the portal to our innate creativity - the original ‘idea factory’
• assists us in clearly and eloquently describing how we want to use our lives because the desire or drive comes straight from our soul.
• awakens who we are down to our core and shows us parts of ourselves we never knew existed
• helps us believe anything is possible
• opens doors we didn’t even see before
• completely captivates our mind, body and soul
So how do we find “that thing”?
For me, it began by acknowledging and recognizing a certain curiosity, and then chasing it down.
Feeling passionate about certain things has never been an issue for me. In fact, my issue came from having too many interests. I had difficulty in focusing in on just one thing.
As a result, I asked to be guided. I silently prayed to my divine leaders, my spiritual guides, and to Universal energy itself to point me in the direction of my heart’s desire. I had absolutely no idea where it would lead me, and I never guessed it would be painting!
I’ve always been a big advocate of creative arts – music, literature, drama, visual – you name it, I’m a fan of it. I’ve also always been a big advocate for self-help, mindfulness, and awareness, as well as spiritual and energetic healing. My interests and my curiosity have many intersection points between these fields.
I believe I was led to painting as a means of discovering my true passion. Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly, my true passion is to teach. I am a teacher, but not in the traditional sense even though I am professionally trained as an educator. Today I choose to teach what life has taught me, and I do so using creative means.
The process of painting has helped me to better understand who I am and why I am the way I am. It has been the biggest gift of my life, and my greatest learning tool. Through it, I’m uncovering how I can use my experiences and lessons to assist not just myself, but also others in living a more fulfilled life.
Painting has led to:
• writing my first book – “Stepping Stones” (a memoir)
• recording a full album of original songs to accompany the book – “Songs from the Song Series”
• delivering “Keynote speeches” about overcoming adversities
• developing “Team Building Seminars” which use the creative process to build confidence in decision-making and leadership skills
• offering special projects like “Self-Worth Portraits” that show clients their true potential for happiness and success
• providing “Soulful Art-making Courses” that reconnect participants with their soul’s intention to create from an intuitive space
• performing the “Song Series” concert which inspires others to shift their thinking and reshape how they view their past experiences.
None of this would have come about if I hadn’t purposefully focused on exploring my curiosity. It wasn’t a passing fancy. I set out on a mission to discover how I could best use my life, so I got' down to business' on discovering what it was that ticked all my boxes.
I wasn’t necessarily unhappy before any of this – not in the least. But was I living a life that felt fulfilled? Not as much as I am today.
Today I know wholeheartedly I'm doing what I was put here to do, and honestly, there's no greater feeling than having this kind of certainty of purpose.
Do you want to feel more fulfilled? If so, then I encourage you to start exploring whatever it is that stimulates your curiosity. Some roads may lead to dead ends, but one of those roads will lead you where you need to be.
If you'd like some company along your journey, come join us over in AMMO Artworks' private Facebook Group - "Heart of the Matter". We get 'down to business' in the group about living authentically, and we support each other in the process.
Already living a fulfilled life? That’s great! Let us know how you got there. How did you discover your passion? How has it enriched your life? How are you using your passion to help others?
Share your story. It just might inspire someone else to uncover theirs.
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Michelle Myrick is the owner and operator of AMMO Artworks – a creative arts company specializing in products and services that inspire belief in abilities and the capacity to succeed. She is a singer, songwriter, and musician; a visual artist; and an author. Michelle is also an educator and offers Team Building Seminars, Workshops, Courses, and Keynote Performances for groups and organizations. See www.ammoartworks.com for details and information.
Article Photo: Michelle’s original painting: “Virago” Read the story behind this piece HERE
(Original Painting has SOLD; Prints available via website)