The Pathway to Your Passion and Purpose Even In Stressful Times

By Nichelle Nichols, SisterSpeak Online Contributing Writer

I felt compelled to write today. This urge doesn’t happen everyday but today it came like an overwhelming wave, pushing me down, slamming its force across my head, temporarily suffocating me and causing me to gasp for air. My head kept screaming, “WRITE!” and my lungs yelled, “BREATHE!” And so, for life, I did both.

It seems obvious, at least to me, that we all must have something we feel passionately creative in doing. The pathway to my passion is through writing, yet I admit that I lack discipline as a writer. Being disciplined and creative don’t always go hand in hand for me. I go through very creative and active periods where words flow from my mind to fingertip without hesitation; and then I can go months where I scribble nothing more than five or ten words, a phrase, an idea, and that’s it. I tend to write in spurts and waves and mostly when I feel moved to do so rather than in a structured deliberate way that keeps me constantly honing my skills and connected to my passion.

Let’s add to this sporadic writing style that I am also one of those people always asking myself what my purpose is in life. Apparently I haven’t figured it out yet. Do you know my type...never quite satisfied with the life we’re living, the job we have, always feeling like there’s something more…more…more? I have a small collection of books related to creating the kind of life you want and doing the work you love. It seems as though I have spent at least half a lifetime writing in journals about activities loved since childhood; feelings that capture my happiest moments and goals I would love to accomplish before I die. In all, I want to live a purposeful life but I often feel disconnected from what I feel I would really do if I didn’t do what I had to do. You get it?

I know I’m not the only one. I guess we all make excuses or have “good reasons” why we are not fulfilling our purpose. In my case, I have let a combination of interruptions caused by simply living life, as well as my feelings of defeat and doubtful thinking to lead to this pervasive feeling of being blocked in my “pathway” to true purpose and passion. I realize how important it is to remember that purpose is bigger than oneself; purpose is a divine calling and it begins by being appreciative and positive about who you are and the life you have lived thus far. I guess it’s safe to say, I’m not positive enough.

Dr. Wayne Dyer, author of The Power of Intention (2004) says that:

somewhere buried deep within each of us, is a call to purpose…it may not be rational, not always clearly delineated and sometimes even seemingly absurd, but silently we have an inner knowing (p. 151).

To add to this concept, he adds, that our purpose, or intention, is not necessarily about performing a specific task or being in a certain occupation, but really it’s about sharing yourself in a creative, loving way using skills and interests that are inherently part of you…ultimately giving your life away by serving others.

Of course, central to recognizing our “calling” is the belief that there are no mistakes. According to Dyer, it is often our own negative thoughts and frame of reference that blocks us from our own divine plan. We interpret things negatively and this adds to this greater feeling of disconnection. Our job is to switch negative thinking into positive. Our challenge is to see struggle and hardship even in a positive way. No more excuses, huh?

Cheryl Gilman, author of Doing Work You Love: Discovering Your Purpose and Realizing Your Dreams (1997) wrote:

Your life is your career. Everything that you have experienced is part of your resource list. Your wealth is in your gifts, talents, skills, experiences, and interests as well as your struggles (p. 12).

To add to this concept of struggle, Harry Belafonte (performer, activist, humanitarian) told Cornel West (Professor of Afro-American studies at Harvard University) in the book Restoring Hope (1997):

Do not look on struggle as some harmful, negative thing. Struggle has great glory and great dignity and great power and great beauty. As a matter of fact, the more you discover through struggle, the purer you become…do something and do it in struggle (p. 33).

Do something…share yourself…be loving and positive....see struggles as part of your wealth…believe there are no mistakes…I guess, this is why I felt compelled to write today. With the current state of our national economy, it is an easy time to feel discouraged and defeated. So many of us are struggling, and perhaps we are reevaluating our purpose and priorities like never before. As a writer, even as an undisciplined one, it is my hope that through words, you had a moment of feeling encouraged and reminded that you are special and here by purposeful design.

What do you feel compelled to do today?

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About the Author: Nichelle Nichols is multi-talented professional and artistic soul whose gifts range from the conventional to the truly eclectic. A gifted writer and spoken word artist, Nichelle began her creative career as a trained dancer & choreographer. Her professional work has also included extensive experience in marketing and development, and youth & family counseling. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Nichelle has traveled widely and has lived on both the east and west coasts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Family & Consumer Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Science in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University. She currently works in non-profit marketing and development and is the proud mother of four sons.

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