connecting the dots, one at a time

I've let so many of these daily challenges fall by the wayside, but hey! there's no expiration date on them, right?! I'm keeping in mind the ones I'd really like to focus on in the future-- swapping out toxic cleaners, starting a meditation practice, remembering gratitude.  And there is one challenge that I don't want to put off any longer: tapping into my passion and connecting it to action.  Have you noticed this theme throughout the Action Plan?

• Day 17: Visualize yourself doing something you love
• Day 20: Tap into your passions
• Day 21: Connect the dots between passion & action
• Day 22: Choose a goal and write it down
  

Not to mention all of the other challenges that have encouraged us to take a breather, give thanks, and focus on what is really important. Fortunately, I was raised in a family that values self-care and following your heart, but it's still easier said than done. When I think about my passions and how I could put them into action and chase my dreams, a million practicalities float to the front of my thoughts. You know them, they are the usual dream-crushing suspects: lack of money, lack of confidence, etc.

The reality is, though, that you can started tapping into your passions this very moment. Seriously. You can decide today that you can chase down that goal. I can get completely carried away with extremes; I start gardening and all of the sudden I need to become a full-time, self-sufficient farmer with acres of vegetables! I love to write and suddenly I'm planning an escape to a solitary writers retreat in New England. They are lovely and inspiring thoughts, but a bit tough to achieve in the short term. So why not think of ways to incorporate those ideas into every day life? Nurture your houseplants and share them with others if you can't go out and buy a farm this week. Pledge to write something every day, whether on a blog or in your own journal.  Read travel books and cook exotic dinners if your budget doesn't allow for a trip around the globe this year. Never forget your big, wild dreams but know that you can start living them today, in whatever small ways you'd like. Just gotta jump in and do it.  Right now I'm working on a personal mission statement of sorts, to help me bridge together all of the seemingly disparate parts of my life. You can read a draft of it here, if you're interested. And check out this article about creating your own brand, when you have the time.

Christine is a featured blogger for the Whole Living Action Plan: 28-Day Challenge.  Follow her on Twitter and Facebook!