Discovering Your Purpose: Passion vs. Calling with Latham Thomas
Understanding the Difference Between Passion and Calling
Many people spend their lives chasing passions, believing them to be their true calling. But what if there’s a deeper purpose waiting to be discovered? In a recent episode of Heal Squad with Maria Menounos, Latham Thomas, a celebrity doula and lifestyle expert, explores the crucial difference between passion and calling—and how understanding this distinction can lead to a more fulfilled life.
Why Your Calling Might Feel Difficult
According to Thomas, a calling isn’t always convenient, joyful, or financially viable at first. Unlike passion, which brings immediate joy and ease, a calling often comes with resistance. It’s that voice in the back of your mind nudging you toward something bigger, even when it feels uncomfortable or impractical.
“The thing that you are gifted at, that you have been afraid to pursue, that you put on the back burner—that is where your purpose lies,” Thomas explains. “A calling will bother you until you act on it.”
How to Identify Your Calling
If you’re unsure what your calling is, Thomas suggests taking a passion inventory.
- Identify What Brings You Joy – What activities make time disappear for you? Whether it’s painting, writing, or mentoring others, your passions often provide clues about your calling.
- Reflect in Solitude – Spending time alone—whether in nature, journaling, or meditating—helps eliminate distractions and clarify what truly matters to you.
- Observe What Drains You – Pay attention to what feels exhausting or out of alignment. If something consistently leaves you unfulfilled, it may not be your true path.
- Look at Your Impact – Your calling is often tied to how you serve others. What do people naturally seek your advice on? Where do you feel most useful?
- Be Open to Discomfort – True purpose is rarely easy. If something feels like hard work but still deeply rewarding, it may be your calling.
The Role of Boundaries in Standing in Your Power
Thomas also highlights the importance of setting boundaries to protect your time and energy. “Fences keep good neighbors,” she says, emphasizing that boundaries help safeguard your well-being while ensuring you remain aligned with your mission.
Setting boundaries isn’t just about saying no—it’s about designing a life that supports your highest potential. That means allocating time for yourself, your community, and your goals in a way that fosters emotional and spiritual fitness.
The Power of Awareness in Finding Your Purpose
One of the biggest obstacles to discovering your calling is lack of awareness. Social media, outside opinions, and everyday distractions can pull you away from your true self. Thomas urges people to step back, reduce distractions, and cultivate mindfulness to hear their inner voice more clearly.
“We have to decide that we’re not going to let things turn us in a different direction or take us off course,” she explains. “What you are here to do will keep calling you until you answer.”
The Journey to Self-Discovery
Thomas reminds listeners that the journey to finding purpose is never linear. It requires taking inventory, making adjustments, and being willing to shed old expectations. “You have to go through that process of transformation,” she says. “You have to shed ego, let go of what’s no longer serving you, and emerge as the person who can carry out the responsibility of your calling.”
Take Action: Discover Your Calling Today
If you feel stuck or unsure about your path, start by asking yourself: What feels deeply fulfilling? What won’t leave me alone? What am I willing to struggle for? These questions can serve as a guide to uncovering your true mission.
For more healing and wellness tips, be sure to subscribe to the Heal Squad with Maria Menounos podcast via YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
