I had a realization a few days back when I took a little road trip to see some of my friends who are in a band play a couple songs at a youth center music event: if you have passion, is there anything else you really, desperately need in life? Maybe this is my inner idealist peeking through, but honestly, if you find that one thing that gets your blood pumping, that tickles your fancy, that can occasionally move you to tears or push you to try your absolute hardest, do the other "unnecessaries" really matter?

So, here is my abbreviated case for finding your passion. You can never be completely unfulfilled if you have one thing that drives you to be your "you-est you." For Jake, it is this desire to find the delicate balance between spirituality and science, to be this outstanding doctor that honors whole person health—body, mind and spirit. For Nicole, it is her athletic prowess—she can and she will get that PR at her next meet. Her body is her temple. In Morgan's case, it is her dedication to her students, her willingness to give of herself fully and completely to ensure their success in her classroom. We each have that blooming interest in us, and if we can find that and capitalize on it, it gives us a reason to explore, to learn, to read, to research, to try and to fail, to grow and to live. It is really, super motivating, in my opinion.

Many of us live our whole lives trying to find that "thing," and this urge to look keeps us going as well. We become self-aware as we seek out hobbies and dabble in unfamiliar territory. This process can be just as exciting as finding your niche, so enjoy the ride.

Go out today and find your passion. And know I'll be rooting for you.