“Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.” ~ Goethe
It’s over. You have let go of the past and you are making good progress on your journey to heal. The rawness has gone, the scars are forming and you can finally breathe again, laugh again, love again. It’s time to find your pathway to passion.
Our passions as an adult often start with the inner child in us. So it is so important you’re your inner child is respected and nurtured to release your authentic and creative aspirations. Be aware that a damaged child needs to be healed to the point where the wounds of the past cannot open, as a broken soul will build broken dreams.
If you were abused as a child you may not have had the opportunity to dream. Fear-filled day of keeping the peace and holding on to the silence took up all your emotional energy. It’s hard to have a passion for life when your life isn’t in your hands. But today you can reclaim that life and dream the dream.
As a victim of an abusive partnership, you may well have abandoned your own pathway to personal freedom as the narcissist in your life gradually made everyday existence all about them. When you live in an environment where you are criticised for everything and made to believe you are nothing, there is no point in thinking of personal desires. But now you are free to recover those desires and follow your heart.
Maybe life has just thrown up crisis after crisis and you have been left feeling defeated and overwhelmed. Or you’re dealing with chronic illness and pain. It may seem pointless to pursue notions that you can’t envisage, when dealing with everyday challenges seems to take up all your time and energy. But there is every point. Because passion for the future is a great healer for the pain of the present.
“This year I’m choosing to live beyond my wildest dreams. I wonder where they’ll take me?” ~ Oprah Winfrey
Your pathway to passion can be as big or as small as you choose. It can spring from hopes from yesteryear or an epiphany of today. What matters is that you find that zest, that energy, that longing for something that reflects your authentic self and that you pursue it boldly.
Be brave and let the spark ignite the dreams that have lain dormant. Search your unconscious for those hidden aspirations and bring them into reality. Be confident and creative in your thinking and visualise your future. Embrace the fear of change and use it to fuel the excitement and anticipation of the good things to come.
I know this sounds good in theory. whilst in reality life can be far from positive. Yet that is exactly why I am so privileged to be able to look ahead with the expectation that I have.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
I remember the first time I ever saw this verse. It was on my first day in rehab. I had been taken there from a psychiatric ward after an alcohol induced suicide attempt. There I sat, physically destroyed, psychologically broken, emotionally wrecked and spiritually bankrupt. I distinctly recall thinking that something had obviously gone wrong with the plans for my life.
I read those words everyday for six months and with each day that I healed, they mocked me less. Today I can see that there was a meaning to my experiences and that my life was intended to have a hope and a future. And I believe that life was also meant to be lived with passion.
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. “~ Dale Carnegie
So plant some seeds of hope, sow some wishes, cultivate some longing. Open your mind, body and soul as you allow synchronicity and faith to guide you along your path. And don’t give up.
Don’t be discouraged with setbacks or despair if others don’t share your vision and enthusiasm. You are not dependent on the approval of others who may be threatened, jealous or fearful of your potential and success .It is your life. It is your path. Remind yourself that passion will keep burning as long as you have that spark of desire, and that spirit of commitment.
“May the passion to be all that God want you to be sweep across your soul like a gentle breeze.” T.D. Jakes
As for me, I have found that my faith, family, friends, writing, creating come together to help fulfill my hopes and realise my dreams . Indeed, my pathway to passion, is my pathway for life.
Top image ‘Tango of passion’ and bottom image ‘Fire Dance’ thanks to the world renowned Leonid Afremov at http://afremov.com/ All rights reserved. No part of these images may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of Leonid Afremov
following your blog now! 🙂
Welcome to The Hurt Healer Community Geraldine 🙂 Wonderful to see you here!
The world we live in demands authenticity – even though it often fights it. Diving deep to find the inner soul and what we were really, truly made for is so important. I love your reminder to embrace we we really are. Best lines of your post; “Don’t be discouraged with setbacks or despair if others don’t share your vision and enthusiasm. You are not dependent on the approval of others who may be threatened, jealous or fearful of your potential and success .” I needed that reminder. Thank you Carolyn being a fire-dream-starter. It matters !!!
I’ve never considered myself as a fire-dream-starter, but I am so delighted that you have been encouraged by my words. Thank you Marvia 🙂
Words just have that kind of power – to remind us what we were really made for. To speak hope, truth, and beauty. I believe that if we’re walking with God, He whispers, and often our words are the repetition of His heartbeat for us and our fellow mankind. (i’m going to tweet myself LOL).
Beautiful post, Carolyn. This sentiment especially resonated for me, “…needs to be healed to the point where the wounds of the past cannot open, as a broken soul will build broken dreams.” For decades I could recite the wound, but it wasn’t until I grieved it – with the help of my therapist – that I could heal it and that’s when things really turned around for me. Happy to say that this sentence describes where I’m at, today, “…find that zest, that energy, that longing for something that reflects your authentic self and that you pursue it boldly.” Thanks for another wonderful post.
What an inspiration article, Carolyn! Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite verses that has helped me through some very difficult times. I appreciate your openness and love your way with words. Thank you for bringing sunshine to our day!
Thank you Robin for your kind comments!
Great post Carolyn – I have done much healing work on myself over the years and continue to do so as deeper layers of the onion present themselves. I believe that we are all works in progress and that the journey we take is a part of the healing process. Some of what you wrote here reminds me of a wee mantra I use on myself from time to time… “My history is not my destiny – I choose success”
I love your mantra Moira! Such power!
Hi Carolyn, That verse from Jeremiah is one I held onto for so long. When I wouldn’t read my Bible at all, it was the one that I clung onto, believing that one day I’d get that hope. And it happened… 🙂
Yay! That is so encouraging Cate. Thank you for sharing that hope. 🙂
Carolyn as usual you are very positive and inspiring! I am struggling with some things right now too and your words are very soothing for me! Thanks!
I’m so glad that you are finding some comfort in my words Liz. That is wonderful to know. I do hope that life starts getting brighter for you very soon.
You had me at the beginning quote… love this: “Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.” ~ Goethe – thanks for another great article!
Thank you for your support Jessica 🙂
I love how you are so full of hope and encouragement. God has given you an amazing gift for using words and the art you share to lift others up as they go through their pathways. Thank you.
Thank you for your encouragement Pat. 🙂
You have such great positivism and strength! Thank you for sharing. I always love reading your articles:)
That’s good to read Dani 🙂
How often do we wrap ourselves up in protective layers like bubble wrap…layers of negative beliefs and negative thoughts. What an inspiring post, Carolyn…stepping out into our passion. This really, really touched me, dear. You have such a gift.
It’s always wonderful to know that my words have touched a reader. Thank you Sherie for your kindness.
I really enjoyed your article!
That’s good to read MarVeena. Thank you!
Great post as always. I done my inner child work with the help of John Bradshaw years ago. I often revisit, and gain more insight 🙂
It’s good to go back in that way sometimes Anita. Thank you for your support. 🙂
Oh Carolyn, such a touching, stirring post to share and so on point for today. At the moment I’m doing everything I can to cope with two big “whomps” upside the me that is me…with a looming divorce and continuing health challenges and financial stones in my path, it feels like that is little room for passion and yet I teach others how to find it in their lives, so this was a great reminder. LOVE what you bring to the world my dear.
So sorry that you have such huge challenges in our life at the moment MamaRed. It’s hard to be enthusiastic about life when going through the tough times, but I know that your huge strength and vitality will get you through to better and brighter days. Take care. xo
Wow what a soul stirring post Carolyn, thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank you Tom!
So beautiful! I love this quote:
“Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.” ~ Goethe
Sometimes people get stuck and can’t stop spinning their wheels. I have someone close to me in that situation right now. It can be very paralyzing for some.
You are very right Joanne and it is so hard to get going again when paralysis in the form of despondency and apathy sets in. It’s a case of finding the strength to get back into the game.
You just made my day with this quote
“Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.” ~ Goethe
God bless.
Seun
And God Bless you too Seun.
What a journey! Thank you for being transparent as I’m sure it is hoping each one that reads this.
Thank you for your encouragement Lisa.
What a beautiful post, Carolyn~I love it and can absolutely feel your passion resonating within every word.
Thank you for your kind comments Roberta.
You bless my heart Carolyn. What a journey you have been on! I praise God that you used it for good and are now helping so many others going through the same things. YOU are awesome! “I read those words everyday for six months and with each day that I healed, they mocked me less…: The power of the written word. ❤
Thank you for such encouragement Norma ❤
Such a beautiful, inspiring post, Carolyn. Thank you so much. I love the quotes and pics as well! God bless you.
And God Bless you too Alexandra!
For you r wonderful inspirational posts:
http://utesmile.wordpress.com/2013/06/22/more-and-new-awards-and-my-200th-post-wow/
How wonderful! Thank you!
Pingback: Post Gathering #22 | Glynis J.Glynis J.
Many thanks for linking Glynis.
Reblogged this on E'n'M.
Thank you for reblogging Shilpa. 🙂
Pleasure’s mine , carolyn , luv ur post
After absorbing the pieces that will move me more lovingly along my own path, I made a list of people to send this article to. Thank you, Carolyn, from all of us! 😉
You have made my day Sharon! 🙂
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Carolyn, this verse is quite significant. It is shaded over and over in yellow marker in my sister, Kay’s, bible.
Xxxx LOVE.
His plan now is to keep her safe in His arms, away from the harm of the world. Xxxx
Beautiful post once again Carolyn! Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite passages!
Mine too Sue!
Yes, I’ve certainly found it to be true that my ability to express creatively is directly tied to how satisfied I am with myself, accomplishments or not — if my acceptance of myself is tied to accomplishing things, my creativity becomes an exercise in trying to please people and can’t be nearly as powerful.
That is a great lesson in being true to yourself Chris. Thank you for your comments. Great to see you here.
Carolyn, the more I read from your pages, indeed, from your heart… the more I crave to hear your whole story. You speak from a deep well of compassion, and despite the deep hurts – perhaps because of the deep hurts – you exude a level of peace and wholeness that literally shines from your articles. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to read your stories – I always look forward to reading more!
Absolutely breathtaking post, Carolyn! You did stir up my heart with this one.
That’s a wonderful comment Tanumoy. Thank you 🙂
Spoken from the heart… 🙂
Great post Carolyn! Thanks for sharing so openly! Very inspiring!
Thank you Cathie. Great to see you here. 🙂
Although I often find it difficult to pursue my dreams, I can get past that fear by pushing onward, kind of like the bull in the china shop.
Just keep on pushing onward Glynis!
Beautiful. Thank you!
Thank you Betsy!
Carolyn,
Just wanted to say your entire article spoke to me. In particular, I love this:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
It has helped me through quite some moments.
You have such a b eautiful soul, Carolyn. Thanks for sharing it.
I am so glad that you could relate. That verse continues to speak to me too. Take care.
This is a powerful outpouring of soul – I am glad you shared it too. I sometimes get lost in the disappointment that I have not met this or that goal or benchmark… forgetting that in life, there is no endpoint until death. And so it really only makes sense that there is further growth and living and learning to do. Further passion to explore.
Keep on exploring your passion!
Well that was loaded with all kinds of tidbits. Love this! Wow did I say wow already!!!
Thank you for your enthusiasm Michelle!
Thank you for sharing such an emotional article. This really stands out to me: “Be brave and let the spark ignite the dreams that have lain dormant. Search your unconscious for those hidden aspirations and bring them into reality. Be confident and creative in your thinking and visualise your future. Embrace the fear of change and use it to fuel the excitement and anticipation of the good things to come.”
I have made a decision to take charge of my life, with God in the drving seat, – Though we fall, we fall to rise again”
I love your saying Yetunde! Keep on rising 🙂