Finding Your Passion

"Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.”

A long time ago I used to honestly think that I was flaky and indecisive because I couldn’t find that one true thing that I was passionate about.  I would worry, get frustrated and look for signs in everything, it was making me miserable!!


Now I believe that it’s just a curiosity. A curiosity of life, learning, loving and growing.  I’ve tried many things that become my passion and then it dissipates. I’ve done it in work, life, health, every facet of my life (except love) I now know that it doesn’t mean failure.

Sometimes our passion sneaks up on us. It may have been there all along, but was hiding. Life is about doing what you absolutely love, in every sense of the word.  If you don’t know what that is, relax, be still, and see what direction life moves you.  Finding our passion is not in our control. What we can do now is get our lives on track, get rid of areas of unhappiness and confusion, and let go of ideas about how our lives should be.


When I started Kiki’s Kitchen almost a year ago I had no idea what I was doing, literally.  I didn’t care because it was about me and for me. I can’t even truly explain how it happened. There was no fear or uncertainty.  I knew I could learn as I go just like in life!  It started as an idea, but even more than that.  A burning desire that I needed to help others like me by sharing what I knew through experience, even the small things like gluten free recipes and products.  Hey, wait a minute…I think I may have found my passion!!!!


"Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.”

Accept the things I cannot change...

I’ve had a rough go at it for a while now with many different diagnosis.  First, Crohn’s Disease, then it was Celiac Disease but no Crohn’s.  Thirdly, it was both Crohn’s and Celiac disease which now brings me to the most recent diagnosis.  Celiac Disease and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) I’m exhausted  emotionally and physically!!  After learning to cope over and over again for many years, I am once again wearing that hat.  Living with a chronic health condition presents many challenges. Learning how to meet those challenges is a process — it doesn't happen right away. I can contest to that!

But understanding more about your condition, and doing your part to manage it, can help you deal with the challenge and make it easier.  Many people find that taking an active part in the care of a chronic health condition can help them feel stronger and better equipped to deal with lots of life's ups and downs.  Attitude is everything!!

Most people go through stages in learning to cope with a chronic illness, whatever that illness may be. Someone who has just been diagnosed with a health condition might feel many things.  Some people feel confused, and worried about their health, the future and how their life will change.  For others, the situation seems unfair, causing them to feel sad, angry at themselves and those they love. I’ve felt every one of those at different times.  These feelings are all part of the coping and healing process.  Everyone's reaction is different, but they're all entirely normal.

I’ve said this before, knowledge is power.  The more you find out about your condition, the more you will feel in control and the less scary it is. Learning to live with illness is all about accepting.  Accepting the things you cannot change and living your life to the fullest.  Develop a plan with your Doctor and take action to get yourself feeling better-NOW.  However that may be, diet modifications, stress management.  It all depends on what illness it is that you have or the challenges that you are facing ahead. 

“Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.”