Shannon Simone Miller - purpose http://shannonmiller.me/tags/purpose en 5 tips to finding your passion and purpose in life. http://shannonmiller.me/2015/07/23/5-tips-to-finding-your-passion-and-purpose-in-life <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Did you know according to a recent Gallup Poll that 70% of Americans said they <strong><em>HATE</em></strong> or are disengaged in their jobs. Those numbers blew me away, I figured the number would be high but 70%? You have got to be kidding me.  We spend so much time at work and yet so many of us despise it. That really isn't any way to live when we can live a fuller happier life living our purpose.</p> <p> </p><div class="media-element-container media-full"> <div id="file-71" class="file file-image file-image-png"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/71">comealivelg.png</a></h2> <div class="content"> <span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img width="480" height="480" id="1" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.shannonmiller.me/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/comealivelg.png?itok=rtlNxvFX" alt="" title="" /></span> </div> </div> </div> <p>You can actually follow your passion, it's not a pie in the sky idea for a chosen few. Will it be easy? In the beginning NO, but anything great is worth working for. However, once you get going you will find that there is a certain flow that begins to happen and it really is something amazing.</p> <p>What if you feel stuck or don't seem to know what your passion is? Well I have 5 simple tips that I learned along the way that I want to share with you. It took me a while to find my purpose because I am so passionate about life and living that so many things excited me. I also thought it should just appear out of nowhere and be known to me. Little did I know that it required work and open eyes and yet it was there all the while. I wasn't looking so I guess I wasn't seeing, sound familiar? There were a million times I felt lost and wanted to give up but I knew deep down that if I kept searching, had faith and most of all an open heart it would come.</p> <blockquote><p><strong>“Don’t worry about what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman</strong></p> </blockquote> <p> If you feel like you have traveled so many paths and tried so many things but nothing felt right you are not alone. I have been there many times, you may have experienced great success in something and that success confused you in to thinking you found your passion. Then the excitement fades and you feel empty or dissatisfied. Let's get you on your path, it's time to live your passion.</p> <p><strong>1. Give yourself permission</strong>- I cannot stress enough how important this is. We get stuck in our life when we let our circumstances or past define us. We think, well I have always been an X,Y, Z or my life has always been "this way" so I guess that is my story. You have the power to <a href="http://www.shannonmiller.me/coaching"><strong>Press The Reset Button</strong></a> and redefine your life any day you choose to. How do you do that? By first giving yourself permission. Say Yes! I can write a new story for myself and I don't need anyone's permission but my own. </p> <p> </p> <p>2. <strong>Allow yourself to explore- </strong>Part of the joy of finding your passion is being open to exploring new things and new ideas. If there is a topic you are interested in, do some research. Interested in going back to school to pursue something new? Find a school that offers a program of interest and schedule a tour. Interested in starting a new business? Go to a trade show or find a relevant networking group to attend. Has something been on your mind for some time? Take a class locally, learn to bake, build websites or whatever else you are curious about. These are simple ways to dig deeper into areas of interests if you are still not sure of the direction you are going.</p> <p> </p> <p>3. <strong>Look for themes- </strong>What are you drawn to in life? What do you read, watch or enjoy doing. What areas of interest pop up time and again. Take some time to jot down a list of things you enjoy. Believe it or not if you take the time you will find themes. Ask yourself if you can see any patterns. When you finally see it will be so obvious that you will wonder how you ever missed it. For instance, I read my first motivational book at age 12 given to me by my uncle, it was Zig Ziglar's Top Performance after that I was hooked. I have read over 600 books on human excellence, in addition to books on spirituality &amp; business. I found myself seeking out spiritual locations to visit including Israel &amp; The Middle East and have sat inside of sacred houses of worship for most major religions of the world. You will find your themes. Be free, jot them down and see how they cross and connect.</p> <p> </p> <p>4. <strong>Meditate- </strong>Meditation gives your mind and body time to rest and refresh. It allows a busy mind to calm and the rubbish of life to drift away. It is a sacred way to be with your thoughts without forcing answers. You can function in your highest creative state when there is stillness. If you have never meditated before you can find many guided meditations on YouTube to get you started. Starting with ten minutes a day can bring you huge benefits.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p>5.<strong> What lights you up?</strong> This one is my favorite, when you key into it you will see how powerful it is. When you talk to someone about a topic and you feel yourself coming alive, remember jot it down. Human physiology doesn't lie and you will begin to see how speaking on the things that light you up will make a drastic shift in your body language and emotions. What is it that makes you feel electric? What do you do even when not getting paid for it? What areas of interest keep tugging on your heart? Let your body and soul be a guidepost for you.</p> <p> </p><div class="media-element-container media-full"> <div id="file-25" class="file file-image file-image-png"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/25">Harris_Fix.png</a></h2> <div class="content"> <span id="styles-3-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img width="192" height="480" id="3" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.shannonmiller.me/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Harris_Fix.png?itok=QwLyuD1B" alt="" title="" /></span> </div> </div> </div> <p>I hope these tips help you, if they can help someone else you know, please pass them on. Don't forget to share your comments below.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/life" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">life</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/purpose" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">purpose</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/passion" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Passion</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/success" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">success</a></div></div></div> Fri, 24 Jul 2015 00:55:40 +0000 Shannon 24 at http://shannonmiller.me http://shannonmiller.me/2015/07/23/5-tips-to-finding-your-passion-and-purpose-in-life#comments It's not a midlife crisis it's a midlife awakening so enjoy it http://shannonmiller.me/2015/04/08/its-not-a-midlife-crisis-its-a-midlife-awakening-so-enjoy-it <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Why is it called a midlife crisis? Why not a midlife awakening? Is it so wrong, after years of following the rules that our parents, teachers and society has laid out before us to finally wake up and take back our youthful wonder and engagement in the world? You often hear he/she is crazy they are acting like a child. Why does he need to buy a fast car? Why is she working out all the time? What do they have to prove?</p> <p>In our quest to place things in a tidy little box is it possible that our comments are laden with jealously and discomfort because we too long to be adventurous and live yet we don't have the guts to do it. When did getting older mean depleting the zest from our life. How can we be a good example for our children or the world at large if we lose sight of the wonder that is around us? Can we not work hard, be good people and have fun too?</p> <p>We cite things like affairs, car purchases and exercise as hallmarks that define alterations that are taking place. But let's get real here, people do all of those things at a younger age; maybe the difference is when we are younger we can't go out and buy an expensive car but many of us sure as heck would if we had the means to do so. Humans are fallible we make messes, me make mistakes.</p> <p>I know you, like myself sometimes wish we could have avoided all of the challenges and learned the lessons we needed to without a mess, without pain. We make gigantic asses out of ourselves, we do it from birth until death. I understand the idea that we should be older and wiser but perhaps it's time we bag that cliché and focus on the fact that the human experience is wrought with pitfalls, ditches, and twisting turning patches that can lead you into Utopia or a mire of crap. Sometimes it's a little bit of both; heaven and hell intermixed. The journey is different for each of us. We can judge, place blame, shake our fingers or we can just accept we belong to the same darn club. </p> <blockquote><p><strong>"Here comes 40. I'm feeling my age and I've ordered the Ferrari. I'm going to get the whole mid-life crisis package." -Keanu Reeves</strong></p> </blockquote> <p>Is a midlife crisis a construct we create to give a disease like reason to something we just can't nail down? Is it possible there is a bit of midlife awareness going on and that awareness, even if it is an urging for nothing more than for us to live, explore and venture out do have new experiences is just what the soul craves. Clearly, we find discomfort with relationships altering, people pursuing new things, life being shaken up in ways we don't understand. And, if this shaking happens to us, we want reason, answers and we relish labels so, sticking a shiny title to it does the trick for us and everyone around us. Blow off the labels and embrace your insatiable desire to grow and go with it. We are human, we are supposed to keep evolving so remeber that if you feel judged let the opinions roll off your back like water.</p> <p>I think the greatest lesson on the topic of midlife growth and transition is acceptance. Accepting changes, unseen forces and the push and machination of the soul. You have one life to live and I find it doubtful at the end of the road you will regret living, even if it is messy, though I can guarantee you will regret it if you don't live at all.</p> <p> </p><div class="media-element-container media-full"> <div id="file-19" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/19">Midlife_motorcycle.jpeg</a></h2> <div class="content"> <span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img width="425" height="270" id="1" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.shannonmiller.me/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Midlife_motorcycle.jpeg?itok=dU_Aw-62" alt="" title="" /></span> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>7 Quick tips to help you get the most out of your Mid-life (Crisis) Awakening</strong></p> <p>1. Explore something new that has always been in the back of your mind.</p> <p>2. Be okay with letting go of old goals that don't feel good anymore.</p> <p>3. Don't be afraid to release friendships that no longer align with your new path.</p> <p>4. Volunteer your time.</p> <p>5. Meditate.</p> <p>6. Learn to say no to people and things that deplete you.</p> <p>7. Have fun, if you are not having fun you are not living life.</p> <p> </p> <p>I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic, please comment below.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/growth" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Growth</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/transition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">transition</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/change" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">change</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/purpose" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">purpose</a></div></div></div> Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:18:38 +0000 Shannon 16 at http://shannonmiller.me http://shannonmiller.me/2015/04/08/its-not-a-midlife-crisis-its-a-midlife-awakening-so-enjoy-it#comments