Feed a Passion

When you engage in an activity that you really enjoy, time seems to fly. The moment is meaningful; you feel fully alive. Taking time to share what you're good at, develop what interests you, or engage in what brings you joy adds meaning to life.

• Keep a book related to one of your passions handy. Then even when you can't actually go fishing, paint, ride your bike, or write, you can still feed your passion with quick images or bits of information.
• Music and audio books make for great quick-lift breaks. If you have no time for the opera, listen — to one aria on your Walkman. If learning about World War I is your passion, listen to one chapter of a related book on tape.
• Just discussing your passion with another aficionado can revive your spirit. Call another pilot, discuss flowers with another gardener, or visit a parenting chat room online for a few minutes.

Feed your soul's desire — even if only briefly — and see if you don't change your tune. Instead of Peggy Lee's "Is That All There Is?" you may find yourself singing Patti LaBelle's "I've Got a New Attitude."

• Read the next Quick-Lift
• More on Creating Meaning