Awaken Your True Calling

Uncovering Your True Self: Five Powerful Questions to Explore Your Passions, Values, and Purpose

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be easy to lose sight of who we truly are and what we genuinely want from life. Often, the daily grind, societal expectations, and external pressures push us further away from our authentic desires and passions. However, reconnecting with your true self is crucial for living a fulfilling and meaningful life. In this lecture, we’ll delve into five profound questions that can help you explore your true nature, passions, and purpose in life. These questions will act as powerful tools to uncover the core of who you are and how you can realign your life to follow your true calling.

We’ll break down each question and explore its significance in helping you understand yourself on a deeper level. By the end of this lecture, you’ll gain clarity on your authentic desires, allowing you to make more intentional and fulfilling life choices.

1. What Did You Love to Do as a Child?

Childhood is often when we experience unfiltered joy and enthusiasm, without the constraints of adult responsibilities or fears. The activities that brought you happiness as a child are often deeply connected to your true passions. These activities reflect your natural interests and inclinations before societal norms and pressures shaped your behaviors.

Think back to your childhood and reflect on what activities made you excited and energized. Did you love drawing, writing, building things, playing sports, or perhaps spending time with animals? What would you often do in your free time, and what made you lose track of time?

For instance, if you were always creating art or playing musical instruments as a child, it might indicate a deep-rooted desire to express yourself creatively. If you spent hours reading books or writing stories, perhaps storytelling or writing is your natural calling. If you were the one organizing games or leading group activities, leadership or teaching could be paths worth exploring.

Revisiting these childhood interests can reveal valuable insights into your true self. The question, “What did you love to do as a child?” helps you reconnect with the untainted passions that may have been overshadowed over the years. This question serves as a powerful reminder of the joy that comes from pursuing what you genuinely enjoy, unencumbered by the judgments of others or the expectations placed on you.

2. What Makes You Lose Track of Time?

Another powerful question to help you uncover your true self is, “What makes you lose track of time?” Have you ever been so immersed in an activity that you didn’t notice hours passing by? This phenomenon occurs when you are completely engaged in something that aligns with your intrinsic passions and skills. It’s often referred to as being in a “state of flow.”

This flow state is when you’re fully absorbed and present in an activity, with no external distractions. The activities that make you lose track of time are typically those that bring you the most fulfillment. They could range from work-related tasks to hobbies or personal projects. Whether you’re solving problems, creating something new, helping others, or engaging in a favorite activity, this is a clear sign that you’re connected to your true purpose.

For example, if you find yourself losing track of time while coding, it may suggest a deep passion for programming or problem-solving. If you lose track of time while writing, designing, or even doing something like playing a sport, it indicates that you’ve found an activity where your skills and passions align, allowing you to immerse yourself fully.

Understanding what makes you lose track of time is a key to unlocking your true calling. These activities are often a window into your authentic desires, as they’re the ones that naturally draw you in, without effort or force.

3. What Would You Do if You Weren’t Afraid of Failure?

Fear of failure is one of the most common barriers that prevent people from pursuing their dreams and living authentically. Many of us have been conditioned to fear failure and its potential consequences, whether it's social judgment, personal disappointment, or financial instability. This fear often leads to self-doubt, procrastination, and the avoidance of risks, keeping us stuck in our comfort zones.

To overcome this fear and reconnect with your true desires, ask yourself, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid of failure?” Imagine a life where you can take bold actions without worrying about the outcomes. What would you pursue if there were no limitations or judgments?

This question encourages you to explore your dreams and aspirations without the constraints of fear. For example, if you’ve always wanted to start your own business but were held back by the fear of failure, this question challenges you to think about what would be possible if you let go of that fear. If you’ve been too scared to travel or live abroad, ask yourself, “What would I do if I weren’t afraid to take risks?” This question helps you identify passions and desires that have been suppressed by your fears.

The goal is not to eliminate fear completely, but to recognize that fear shouldn’t control your life. By reframing your fears and focusing on the possibility rather than the potential failure, you’ll open yourself up to new opportunities and pathways that align with your true desires.

4. Who Do You Admire, and Why?

The people we admire often share qualities or traits that resonate deeply with our own values or aspirations. When you admire someone, it’s because they embody values, traits, or achievements that align with your inner desires or the person you want to become. Reflecting on who you admire can offer powerful insights into your own values and goals.

Ask yourself, “Who do I admire, and why?” Is there a particular person who inspires you because of their kindness, intelligence, creativity, or perseverance? Do you admire someone for their professional accomplishments, leadership qualities, or the impact they’ve made in their community? Think about the qualities that stand out to you.

For example, if you admire a public figure for their humanitarian work, it could indicate that helping others and making a positive social impact is important to you. If you admire an entrepreneur for their risk-taking and innovative mindset, it might suggest that you value independence and creative problem-solving. By identifying the traits of those you admire, you can gain a clearer understanding of what you value most and what drives you.

This question helps you explore the deeper motivations behind your admiration, enabling you to align your own life with these values and pursue goals that resonate with your true self.

5. What Would You Do if Money Were No Object?

The final question to help you uncover your true self is, “What would you do if money were no object?” Financial concerns often dictate our decisions and actions, forcing us to pursue careers or paths that may not align with our passions or desires. But imagining a life where money is not a limiting factor opens up endless possibilities.

If money were no object, what would you spend your time doing? Would you travel the world, pursue creative endeavors, focus on personal development, or dedicate yourself to a cause you care about? This question helps you explore your true desires, free from the constraints of financial survival or societal expectations.

For example, if you would choose to focus on environmental activism, write a novel, or become an artist, it could indicate that your true calling lies in creative expression or making a social impact. The key here is to understand what truly matters to you beyond the need for financial stability.

Answering this question doesn’t mean you need to quit your job or abandon your responsibilities. Instead, it encourages you to find ways to incorporate what truly excites you into your life, whether through side projects, hobbies, or long-term goals.

Conclusion: Aligning Your Life with Your True Self

By reflecting on these five powerful questions, you will gain valuable insights into your authentic desires, passions, and values. Whether it’s revisiting your childhood passions, exploring what makes you lose track of time, overcoming the fear of failure, identifying who you admire, or imagining a life free from financial constraints, these questions provide a pathway to reconnecting with your true self.

The process of self-discovery is ongoing, and it’s important to remember that your passions and purpose may evolve over time. These questions serve as a starting point for a deeper exploration of who you truly are and what you want to achieve. By aligning your actions with your true desires, you’ll create a life that is both fulfilling and authentic.

This lecture is ideal for anyone seeking to reconnect with their purpose, overcome fears, and take meaningful steps toward living a life that reflects their values. By embracing these reflective questions, you will gain the clarity and confidence needed to make decisions that align with your authentic self.