Find your passions in your childhood

One of my friends reminded me today about living with purpose and passion. She said it’s not about a job description, but rather a theme of desire that weaves through all of your life. It feels good, and still it might not always be easy. She said to look at what I loved as a child before too much of life and people got in the way of what I enjoyed doing.

Reading this sent me back on a journey to my childhood. And this is what I discovered about myself:

I loved being outdoors in nature in any way, shape or form. Especially the dark, magnificent Swedish woods around both of my grandparents places. The smells, the plants, the animals. Every now and then I would even catch a glimpse of a moose! Picking berries and mushrooms, knowing all of them by name and which ones I could eat and not.

I read everything I could get my hands on about animals, I can still see in my minds eye the two most amazing books on my parents bookshelf: Nordic Lexicon of Animals I and II (my own translation). The Puma (cougar) in there… I can still see her face.

I loved working with wood, carving things, always had my knife with me when I went out into the woods and made stuff out of old branches. Collecting feathers. Swimming in and rowing on lakes. Sitting quietly on a big rock in the reeds at the lake, watching dragonflies, butterflies and bees all around me and just forget about time.

Hanging out with my grandfather’s massive Ardennes (Ardennais) horse. Walking the neighbour’s dogs if they let me. Sleeping with my cat. Reading, reading, reading and listening to music.

Waking up in the middle of the night to go outside and talk to the full moon… Planting seeds in my parent’s garden on my own allocated little piece of land and watching them grow. Sun-baking (even though my skin is not really made for it). Picking up beautiful rocks and taking them home.

Spending time by the ocean, collecting shells and then making little “art work piles” of them all throughout my room at home.

Smelling the flowers. Taking the time to lay down on the grass and watch the clouds go by. Collecting tadpoles and watch then grow into frogs. Catch water salamanders in the creek and bring them home.

Watching fires burn in our fire place. Playing tricks on people.

I also remember always naturally standing up for the “weaker” or “less fortunate” around me. Telling bullies off came naturally to me as a child. I just never understood the purpose of picking on anyone.

I was also very secure in myself and knew what I liked and didn’t like, and I wasn’t afraid to share this with the world around me.

What does all of this mean to me right here, right now? For one, I’m reminded (again) of my love of nature and our planet and how important it really is for me to connect with animals and the outdoors often.

The other things is, that in my own way, I have always wanted for myself and the people around me to feel good about themselves, to operate from a place of personal power on the inside.

A very timely reminder for me right now as I move forward with my new business!

What did you love doing as child? How could you bring these things into your grown-up life and live with authenticity, passion and coming from a place of feeling empowered, right here, right now?

While moving forward into 2014, I’ll be connecting back to the little girl who knew herself, and let her light shine through my life once more.

What will you do for you?

Here’s to an awesome year ahead,
Sara