Is Oprah Happier Than You? How about Jennifer Lawrence or George Clooney?

I admit it: I haven’t actually asked any of them how happy they are, but I’m willing to go out on a limb and say yes. It’s not for the reasons you might think. Not because they have so much money that they don’t have to worry about where the mortgage or tuition payments will come from. Or because they jet around the world on a whim or grace the covers of magazines.

I would bet they’re happy because they’re doing what they LOVE! What they feel they were born to do.

They’ll probably never spend the mountains of money they have. Money doesn’t drive most people who are doing what they LOVE. Some may not even know their exact income or net worth.

Admittedly, George, Jennifer and Oprah are TV and movie stars – people you might not be able to relate to or feel you can learn from. Here a less extravagant and far less famous example. Me.

My Personal Story

I was born into abject poverty, in the deep south. My father was a sharecropper, my mother and grandmother field hands and maids. Extreme economic struggle is something I’m very familiar with. Yet, my passion for people, and an internal desire to play a part in making the world a better place for everyone, was something I loved from the very beginning. It inspires and fuels me. It is my passion and purpose. Over the years, I’ve turned my passion into a successful career. First, as an internal Human Resources professional, and now as an independent organization development consultant, executive coach and personal growth expert.   I feel certain that the way I use my gifts expresses who I was born to be.

My book “LIES That Limit: Uncover The Truth Of Who You Really Are” is filled with stories of people who ignored their dreams. Our work together allowed them to shed the limiting labels, illusions, excuses and stories so they could use their gifts and talents in pursuit of their deepest desires.

I believe doing what you LOVE makes you happy, and it makes you feel more willing to work through the life’s’ inevitable obstacles and challenges.

Get Creative

Find a way to do what you love. If your passion and purpose are not aligned with your full time profession, and you don’t feel you can make a big change, inject passion into your current role. Add elements of what you love into other parts of your life, such as relationships, or paid or volunteer activities.

Doing what you love is enlivening. Find outlets for expressing your passion and sense of purpose. They’re there, waiting for discovery. Keep at until you make it happen. Don’t get trapped by the illusion that it will just happen if it’s suppose to. Don’t believe stories about magical, overnight sensations. Everything worthwhile requires your energy. It takes commitment, perseverance, and a degree of risk-taking, to create conditions that allow you to spend your days doing what you love.

And, when you love what you do, your sense of passion and purpose will carry you through the tough times.

Take the journey to your happiness and fulfillment. It can be yours, IF you go for it.