If I had to choose one topic that prompts the most emails, raised hands, and letters in my work as a life coach, it's "How do I find my passion?" Maybe you've wondered this, too. It's a feeling we know well from childhood, when we wanted nothing more than to practice pirouettes, make sand castles, or paint all afternoon. Back then, passion was all-consuming. It ignited our imaginations and fueled our sensory, heart-centered desires. Lost in the moment, we thought of nothing else. As adults, we often lose sight of activities that bring us delight in the blur of day-to-day responsibilities. Preoccupied with our jam-packed schedules and never-ending to-do lists, we rarely experience the rich, soulful emotion of passion -- those moments when we feel awestruck, inspired, brought to tears, utterly moved. Instead, we go through the motions of life. Our hearts don't sing.

Many of us sense this void. Often it's our search for meaningful employment that leads us to wonder where our passions lie. To be sure, passion is a key ingredient in a satisfying job. But its scope extends far beyond work. It's about finding what speaks to your soul, whether it results in a paycheck or not. Discovering your passion takes a willingness to embark on a treasure hunt of sorts -- a journey of self-revelation. This process, which I call the Passion Path of Development, can help reveal those things that will bring you back to that state of childhood bliss. Whether you wind up finding your passion in collecting sea glass, saving the rain forests, or practicing tai chi, your engagement in the activities you love will enhance every aspect of your life.