“There are flowers everywhere, for those who bother to look.”-Henry Matisse Passion in life is a funny thing. We search and search, call and call, and still it eludes us. We want to find what we’re good at, what we love and what will ultimately keep us wanting more even after we’ve experienced it a thousand times. It may be a hobby, a profession, a companion. While some of us it seems have already found what we’re looking for, for others it’s almost as if we’re the only ones left still at a loss. But we’re not, and trust me, we never will be. The only time passion is truly confined from us is when we close ourselves off to the new opportunities and interactions essential for the personal growth necessary to discover it. It’s out there, I assure you, in whatever form you need. You just have to know where to look. I firmly believe that if you pursue your passions, you will be happy in life. To me that means being content; the absence of “want” in my life and the unwavering presence of peace. Don’t you agree? If you want to be an artist you will need to start with a canvas, starting anywhere else will only pass the time. Develop an eclectic archive of models, moments, and memories that push your passions to the surface of your gaze. They will unveil themselves once you dig deep enough. I am only just beginning to let myself do this; and it is truly fascinating how things fall into place when I do. Dive in, way wide and way deep, to the motions that make your heart race and your spirit tremble. You’ll know when you feel it. That’s how passion works. Whether it’s the twinkle in a glance from across the room, or the rush of excitement after a new discovery, passion will reveal itself differently for everyone. After all, each of us is incredibly and unimaginably different from even our closest neighbors; so don’t worry if what “everyone else” likes is not what you like. What you like and what you want are personally kept and defined; no one else need be involved in your pursuit. However, if other people do in fact share your passion, rejoice! There are few things more exhilarating than being in love, and far fewer things better than sharing it. In the end we will look back on our days, left only with our memories. We alone choose what we feed in our lives, and as with most things in life “we get out what we put in.” So invest, my friends. Invest in finding and in keeping what makes you smile. Find some time in your busy schedule to pursue what you’ve long been putting off.  Keep on doing what you live and love for. It’s different for everyone. Read that book, take that trip, write that article. Because you see, “there are flowers everywhere, for those who bother to look.”