Finding that thing that sparks and ignites your soul

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire” –Jennifer Lee, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios

We all deserve to live a life that brings us happiness, purpose, and allows us to follow our instinct and that drive within us that brings us forward, towards our dreams. It’s a bit coincidental that the quote I found and decided to include in this blog article is from the CCO from Disney because what actually sparked this article, I must admit, is a song from the new animation film Frozen 2. Now stay with me, because I promise you that this is leading to an interesting article about finding your passion and making it happen. In this song, Elsa sings “I’ve had my adventure, I don’t need something new, I’m afraid of what I’m risking if I follow you, Into the unknown, Into the unknown, Into the unknown…Every day’s a little harder as I feel my power grow, Don’t you know there’s a part of me that longs to go, Into the Unknown”.

I think you’ll understand that the lyrics really spoke to me because they remind me that life is about adventure, finding what brings you joy and finding that thing that makes you feel alive, maybe something you can get lost in for a while. We also are diving into the unknown and putting ourselves out there when the thing that lights a fire in us is something new, something we may not have tried before and that means taking a risk, not knowing what it might look like and if it will work out or if we might fail.

We are always growing and changing and the process of discovery of who you are and what is your passion never really stops. So, what sparks something in you? Maybe it’s art, writing, a dream you’ve always had to start your own business, or maybe it’s playing music, running a marathon, travelling. It’s a very personal thing and no one can tell you what it is and what it means for you. Some of the questions that can guide you to discovering it include “What are the things that make you happy that you like to spend your time doing?”, “What have you always wanted to do?” or “What makes you forget about the world around you (an activity you get lost in)?”. Another great question I love is “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”.

Once you have it, it’s about making room for it in your life. The time is never magically there; we need to create time. Maybe a first step in this direction is joining a hiking club, taking an art class, carving out a little bit of time to look up recipes and get in the kitchen. Carve out some time and know that something may be pulling you towards this for a reason. It may be just a fun pastime, but it can also be something that brings joy into your life, or it could be the dream that turns into a career change or a new venture that changes your world forever.

Over the last year, I am constantly exploring those things that have always been of interest to me but for which time was often scarce. I’m discovering that the things that make me happy are changing, in constant evolution. It used to be cooking, and I still enjoy it, but now it’s more about nature, travel, physical movement, and I’m often getting lost and feeling pure happiness when I’m crafting and creating (DIY projects, home décor, writing, photography).

You are worth it. Take the time to explore what makes you feel alive out of life or pursue the goals that you’ve never thought you could accomplish. There is a passion there worth exploring and I hope this article makes you curious, if just a bit, on what might set your soul on fire. No one else will discover it for you.