Imagine doing work that you truly enjoy, and not only that, but imagine the work also gives you a sense of meaning and purpose.

What is it that you would be doing?

When we are fulfilled by the work we do we will likely be at our best, and will be engaged and challenged on a daily basis.

When we find this congruence in the work we do, it may no longer feel like work, but more like a “calling” we were meant for.

Finding the right work that corresponds with our passions and strengths can seem like a lifelong challenge if we don’t understand our natural capabilities, what motivates us, and what gives us a sense of purpose.

Mother’s Day has arrived and it’s time to celebrate the unique responsibilities, challenges and excitement of motherhood.

If you’re a mother, this post is an offering to your happiness and contentment, and a reminder of the indispensable role you fill.

Mothers are a unique leader of their children and family. They fill a crucial role of teaching future generations the power of living a loving and compassionate life.

This is because mothers live with a sense of love that is unmatched by most. They approach life with a caring and courageous heart and the decisions they make are anchored in love.

A few of the leadership qualities mothers convey include: joy, hope, love and compassion.

I know it’s a heavy question, but really think about it. What makes life worth living? What’s most important to you? Why do you get out of bed in the morning?

When it comes to our search for happiness and fulfillment, we can go down many different paths. Some of the paths will end with empty and trivial outcomes, where others will have more memorable experiences full of immense satisfaction and meaning.

One thing that makes life more fulfilling and worth living is really connecting with the world around us. If you consider your most precious memories they are probably with other people, when you were doing something beyond your personal satisfaction.

It is those remarkable and significant moments in life, the ones that fill us with inspiration and liveliness that are truly meaningful.

Sometimes life can get us down and it can be tough to notice all the amazing things that life has to offer, but when we remember to stay connected whether it be through work, family, friends, or the community at large we can more readily be an active participate.

Here are 6 ways to make deeper connections in life.

More than ever, creativity is a valuable asset for getting ahead in your career and standing out from the crowd.

For some people, creativity comes naturally, but for other, more left-brained individuals, creativity can be a struggle and an uncommon occurrence.

If we aren’t engaging in creative hobbies, like painting or writing, we can become separated from this natural capacity and cease to grow this latent talent.

Fortunately, creativity is a skill anyone can learn and cultivate. Here are 5 ways you can unleash your creative potential.

1. Be playful – Let loose and be open for creativity. Creativity can be enhanced by taking an amusing approach to the usual drudgery of daily life. Find activities that help you have more fun, relax, forget worries, and refresh your outlook and attitude.

There are certain mornings where I wake up feeling particularly enthusiastic and motivated to start my day because of the activities I get to partake in.

This isn’t everyday mind you, at least not yet, but I do hope to continue building my life in this fashion.

I want to live a life filled with passionate pursuits. I love when I have time to write, learn and research, play the drums, and teach and interact with others about inspiring topics.

According to an article in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being (2009), “…passion is defined as a strong inclination or desire toward a self-defining activity that one likes (or even loves), finds important (high valuation), and in which one invests time and energy.”

More importantly, this article points out that having what’s specifically called ‘harmonious passions’ leads to greater well-being and fulfillment.

I know the title of this post seems lofty and quixotic, but when you think about it, changing the world and making it a better place doesn’t have to be as grandiose as people may think.

It’s easy to believe we don’t have the influence and to tell ourselves, “I’m just one person.” “Who am I to make a difference?”

I say these are just excuses. We have a chance to influence thousands of people, if not many more, in our lifetime, and it’s our choice whether we exemplify and exude kindness, compassion, and love, or whether we leave our mark with anger, guilt, and disdain.

When it comes to making a greater contribution to society and leaving your mark on the world there are many principles from psychology, philosophy, and religion that can help us find direction in this pursuit.

Here are a few steps to consider.

Life is full of transition and change. It is full of many moments where we learn about who we really are and what life really means to us.

Much of the growth we experience is when we are able to overcome challenges, move beyond our comfort zone, and become a more virtuous and refined person.

Positive psychology offers a few considerations that can help us be stronger in difficult times and begin to look for opportunities amongst challenges.

Here are three ways that we can seek growth and expand as a person.

Growth by adversity

Think back on a time when you experienced adversity. How did you handle this? Did you shrivel up and wilt away, or did you persevere and come away an even stronger person than before?

Has there ever been a time when you experienced something so marvelous and grand that your hair stood on end and you got goose bumps?

You may not have had a name for this feeling, but it’s likely you were experiencing what psychologists call “awe.” Awe comes when we feel overwhelmed by greatness, and when we see something powerful and unbelievable we have never seen before.

According to an article by Keltner and Haidt (2003), “…theorists agree that awe involves being in the presence of something powerful, along with associated feelings of submission…a difficulty in comprehension, along with associated feelings of confusion, surprise, and wonder.”

This may comes from a magnificent scene in nature like the Grand Canyon, a spiritual experience of synchronicity, encountering a truly charismatic leader such as Nelson Mandela, or a wondrous or historic work of architecture.

Reminisce on Michael Jordan in the championship, Martin Kuther King Jr. presenting his “I Have a Dream” speech, or on any phenomenal act of human nature you can experience.

This is inspiration at its finest, and can be some of the most uplifting emotional experiences.

Inspiration comes during those moments when we see true human excellence. It’s an emotional experience that comes when we encounter extraordinary ability or competence in some activity, which motivates us to be better ourselves.

For me, I love to watch and listen to talented live musicians because I write and play music myself. I am focused in the moment and fully engaged in the performance, and in the end it makes me want to grow and develop as a musician.

Inspiration comes in many different forms and fashions of course. You may be more inclined to take part in athletics, art, writing, public speaking, or even everyday acts of inspiring kindness and strength.

As the anniversary of the 9-11 attack approaches, it most likely brings up some difficult memories. It may stir remembrance of worries for your safety or fears about what was taking place.

I’m sure you remember where you were when the first building was hit. If you weren’t frightened by the sight of the first plane exploding into the side of the North Tower, the second tower was hit moments later and solidified that the occurrence was more than an unfortunate coincidence.

Though, as much as fear and worry emerge when revisiting this moment in our memory, we can’t neglect the level of courage and hope that also pervaded throughout this disaster.

Courage helps us face our fears and confront them.

Courage was seen at all levels and in every sense of the word. Not only were the fire fighters and emergency responders courageously saving lives and appeasing trauma, but general civilians, journalists, and many people who may have never stuck their neck out before this moment were driven to be there for others and do their part to minimize distress and loss of life.