I want to stand for something. How do I find my cause?

Finding a cause so inspiring, so moving, so touching that you want to dedicate your entire life to it is an endeavour both beautiful and challenging.

It is beautiful, because finding your cause, the real deal, will take your breath away. When you find this cause, THE cause, you will know it and feel it with your entire being. It is challenging, because it can take you days, months and even years to find THE cause, and finding it is just the beginning of the journey.

Here some indicators that show that a cause is YOUR cause:

• it urges you to give your best

• it makes you grow and learn new things

• it makes you wanna wake up in the morning, and when you go to bed, you cannot wait for the alarm clock to go on…in fact, you do not need any alarm clock, because you wake up naturally and get in action

• it gives you strength to endure hardships and face challenges that you thought you were not able to go through

• it gives you energy and aliveness, and your body loves it too

• it makes you wanna go on and on, so you find pleasure in working for your cause even during weekends and holidays (without forgetting about your private life and health, of course)

• it makes you feel fulfilled

• it makes the people around you happy

• it contributes something to the world

Searching for a cause resembles looking for a black cat in a dark room: you know it is there somewhere, but it manages to escape just when you are about to catch it. I believe searching for a cause works its magic when you combine making happen with letting happen. Yes, you actively engage with the question, try things out, and do your part of the job. At the same time, you do not make a drama out of it. You let life surprise you. You continue doing what you normally do while keeping the question alive and the fire burning (NB: I believe the “making happen-letting happen” mechanism is brilliantly explained by Elizabeth Gilbert in her TED talk). You do not jump into something too soon and wait rather than say “yes” only to realize that it was not “it” and change your mind. You take your time to find your cause, but do not get stuck. You are not scared of making a decision. You do not settle for second best, and you do not give up.

You are honest, focused, calm, and open.

And then it klicks…