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Another little known fact, I love Ty Pennington. Today I participated in the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition reveal in Raleigh (airs January 21, 2007), and I figured out why. It’s not the hair or the cuteness, although it doesn’t hurt. It’s seeing him love his job. Ever since his carpentry days on Trading Spaces, Ty’s been bubbling over with exuberance for his trade. He’s done an effective job of blending his skills (carpentry, graphic design), talents (modelling), and passion, to live on purpose.

Skills are functions you develop. You could do it fairly well, very well, or not at all, but it doesn’t float your boat. Skills are acquired. Once you know your purpose you could use your skills to fulfill it. Skills are a good foundation for your medium. It’s the “how-to” part of the equation. For example, right now I am leveraging my programming skills to fulfill my purpose of helping people uniquely express the Divinity within them. At the same time, I am developing and honing my writing skills so that in the future I could put my ideas together in a book.

Talents, on the other hand, are more like affinities. These are things that you’re good at and you love. Talents are intrinsic. You can develop and hone them, but you have a natural tendency to excel at them. You feel like you’re in the flow when you are expressing using your talents. One of my talents is strategic planning. I can usually see the complete picture of something with its major components. I love doing this, and I’ve gotten much better at it through formal training as an engineer, job experience as a business consultant, owning my own business, and now as a board member of my church.

Passion is fueled from within. It’s what brings you joy. I love it when I see the lights go on in someone. When they are talking to me or I say something and they have their “aha” moment. Everything falls into place for them. I am passionate about being present all the time. It’s the only way I can really communicate Spirit to Spirit.

The fusion of skills, talents, and passion channeled toward fulfilling your purpose is an unstoppable force. You will live it with every breath you take and it will fill you up. People will be in awe of your authenticity and ease.