I understand why people jump off of cliffs, over indulge, and get into highly passionate relationships. We all want to live! We want to enjoy life with all of our senses and repeat the sensations that feel the best. We desire passion over ration, even if it disrupts our goals. We are in a footrace with time to find this purpose we can be fully passionate about. Some of us think this is trapped inside of a person, some look for it in work, hobbies, in their parenting. There’s no place off limits.

But what happens if you can’t find sensation of fulfillment? What happens when you feel like you are walking the desert in search of water instead of enjoying life? How can you learn to love the scorching heat and dry sand when your body is telling you to find something refreshing? *Raises hand and points at chest- it’s me!! I am searching for this fulfillment. Here’s what I’m doing to find it.

Be Grateful. I’m blessed and fortunate, yet I have to remind myself to find something I like, and be thankful for its presence in my life. I’m filling my heart and mind up with gratitude for being able to take a deep breath, for the soft winds that blow at night, for the sunshine that nourishes plants to bear fruit, for the rain that keeps the ground cool and soft. I’m fully aware and grateful for everything that my eyes see, my ears hear, my nose smells and my tongue taste. I’m working to be grateful for each sensation I feel, and those that I cannot. Are you reading and feel like this is no way to feel alive? Try it. If you can’t think of anything to be grateful for, you can start with these.

1. I am grateful for my home.
2. I am grateful for my health.
3. I am grateful to have food.
4. I am grateful I can love.
5. I am grateful I can laugh.
6. I am thankful for family and friends.
7. I am thankful for the amazing earth I live on and the wonder of life within it.

Speak Good Things. You may not feel good, but say that you do. Start affirmations 3 times a day. Write down the attributes you want to have along with your strengths. Repeat your affirmations aloud every day, several times a day. I do this even with my daughters. Put positive words in the atmosphere. You can start by saying:

1. I am healthy
2. Good things are always coming my way.
3. I’m talented.
4. I work hard and never give up.
5. I can accomplish great things.
6. I’m happy and filled with joy.
7. I am at peace.

Do Something Wonderful Everyday. I used to think I was not capable of accomplishing things for myself daily. But truthfully it doesn’t take that much to create something amazing. Focus on one small project that you can complete in a few minutes. I either do that or I section off a larger project I want to complete. Do something beautiful everyday. Creating beauty gives a sense of accomplishment and allows us to focus our attention on something good. Here’s a couple things you can do to create wonder:

1. Make your bed.
2. Clean something (the kitchen counter top, the bathroom sink, the microwave, anything.
3. Journal write. Create a story or write your feels out. Write a poem.
4. Reorganize a drawer.
5. Plant something. An easy win is to plant any vegetables going bad in the refrigerator.
6. Write a thank you note. Day two you can mail it!
7. Read something uplifting. Find something that moves you and read it to create beautiful thoughts and plans.
8. Declutter a space. Some great spaces to clear are your car, your trunk, a cabinet, or your wallet.
9. Meditate.
10. Exercise.
11. Create a vision board of what you want your life to look like.
12. Learn something new.
13. Get some sunshine!
14. Sign up for a blog that uplifts you (hint, hint).

Connect with Positive People. Whether you connect in person or virtually, positive connection is essential to jump starting purpose. Negative people will drain the life out of you. But positive people help hold us accountable, energize and challenge us to be our best. Perhaps you can think of one or two people that generally keep an upbeat attitude about life. Invite them for a virtual coffee, a walk, or just reach out and let them know you’d like to bounce some ideas off them. Since the pandemic started, I’ve seen more memes than ever. I started a meme share group with a couple close friends. We have similar humor and try to keep it lighthearted and jovial.

After all of that, here’s what I know for sure: Your passion will return. Your zest for life may have been forgotten, but it’s still there. Life is hard. Langston Hughes was so right when he said it was no crystal stair. But you were designed to do great things in this moment. You are here for a purpose. So reboot. Live your life in gratitude, speaking love and creating beauty- and your purpose will reveal itself to you.