Have you ever wondered why you're here? I'm not being all philosophical or anything. It's just a common thing for mankind to ponder. Then again, many of us are too busy in our stressful day-to-day lives to have time to ponder the meaning of life. Besides, the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy solved that mystery long ago, didn't it, when it decided the meaning of life was 42.

But what is it that really makes you want to get out of bed in the morning? What really gets your juices flowing? Is it family? Is it a particular hobby you love? Maybe it's your next holiday. Or your girlfriend/boyfriend. Perhaps it is helping others. Or making your millions. Maybe you have to think back to when you were young, before the school of hard knocks beat your passion down to find what really motivates you.

In any event, if you'd like to bring more happiness into your life, while at the same time getting rid of stress, ponder this question: what is it I am truly passionate about?

In their book, "Finding Your Passion", Chris Attwood and Janet Attwood explain that:

"The brain is very happy when you're focused on what you love. The more you focus on what you truly love and desire, the volume gets turned down in those parts of the limbic system where the destructive emotions of fear, anger, depression, and anxiety are controlled. This allows you to think more clearly.

You also turn up the volume in other parts of the limbic system that generate positive emotions. When this happens, you get a release of dopamine, endorphins, and a variety of stress-reducing hormones and neurotransmitters. The more you focus on what you truly love, the healthier you are likely to be, and the more you will feel the positive effects of those stress-reducing neurochemicals in your body and mind.

You actually get kind of a double whammy. You can have a decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions when you align yourself with what you believe is most important to you.

Think about those people you know who are truly happy. Don't they love what they are doing in their lives? Of course they will have challenges to meet, but when it comes right down to it, they really love their lives, how they spend their time and who they spend it with, and they wouldn't have it any other way. Their passion is the fire within that propels them forward and gives them an inner sense of purpose.

So before you go to bed tonight take ten minutes to think about what truly motivates you. Ponder this question and think back to a time when you were truly on fire about someone or something. By taking the time to clarify what it is you love most, what is most important to you in life, you will have the means to align your life with what you most enjoy. You will bring more joy and less stress into your life and that can't be a bad thing.

© 2009 Shelley Dudley, Life Coach and Small Business Consultant

If you'd like to find out more about discovering your passion, goal setting, determining your priorities, creating an action plan, and overcoming barriers to achieving success, order our online training, "You Can Do It!".