Recently, one of my readers, Uzma, asked me if I could write a post on how to discover the things that we are passionate about in life. I thought her request was interesting so here is my attempt to shine some light on the subject. I hope this post answers your question.
Throughout our lives, we are told so many times that we should follow our passions and only do what we are passionate about doing. Some people are fortunate to discover their passion early in life. Others know what their passions are but do nothing about cultivating them and then there are many who have no idea what their passions are.
The word passion originally meant to suffer. It comes from the Latin word pati and eventually the word passion came to mean the suffering of Christ. It wasn’t until seven hundred years ago that the word gained its definition as “the strength of feeling”.
When I learned that passion originally meant suffering, it made sense to me because to follow your passion can be a hard ordeal, especially if your passion is one that is full of challenges.
However, the question that is on the minds of many is how do you know what your passion is? The best way for me to answer that question is to share with you how I discovered mine.
For most of my life, I felt that I had no idea what my passion was. It used to make me very upset because my dad knew what his passion was early in life and he always told me to do what I loved and to trust that it would all work out. That made sense to me but I had no clue what I loved.
There was no career path that spoke to my soul the way that it had spoken to his. The interesting thing is that I married someone who also knew his passion and was living it. So here I was surrounded by two people that I adore who had found their passion and I felt like I was left out. I decided that I needed to do something about it and finally figure out the answer.
I bought every book on the subject and did every exercise that I could find but nothing seemed to resonate with me. Finally, in frustration, I gave all the books away and decided to just meditate on the issue. A part of me secretly hoped that as I meditated the ceiling would part, angels would appear and tell me what to do.
So I sat down and began to meditate. The message that kept coming to me was that the answer was already within me but I was too scared to recognize it since my passion was not typical. I was not happy with this revelation. I was so hoping that the answer would be more specific. So as any human who does not like what is being told to them, I ignored the message.
For those that do not know much about meditating or being on a spiritual path, here is something I learned: when you ignore the message, it keeps coming until you accept it. So for the next week, every time I meditated, the same answer came: “look within”. Finally, I gave up and began to look within.
Pretty soon it occurred to me that I just needed to notice what I was drawn to in my life and that the answer was there. Ever since I was a child, I loved magazines. Magazines bring me sheer joy as do books. Each magazine and book is a work of art as far as I am concerned. Cover images along with placement of ads just fascinate me. I love to read books on spirituality and making the most out of life. I have always felt drawn to creative people. Marianne Williamson has been a hero of mine since I was nineteen as has been Goldie Hawn.
As I began to look at the things that I loved, I began to see a recurring theme. My loves were spirituality and writing. Once I recognized that (which did take time), it was amazing how things began to come to me that related to my passions.
This whole process was an eye-opener because it made me realize that all the answers that we are seeking to find are within us. The problem is that sometimes the answers are not what we like to hear.
I noticed that my hesitation to realizing that spirituality and writing were my passions was because I knew my family would not be supportive of such a path. I come from a highly educated family and spirituality is not considered a career. All my relatives love that I am a lawyer and to go off that path would bring a whole bunch of problems. No wonder I could not see it. I did not want to see it because I knew the road ahead would be tough.
I am happy to say that even though I still have to work at a day job that is not related to my passions, I have found a way to incorporate those passions into my everyday life. This blog is an example of that and to know that I have such wonderful readers fills my heart with joy.
Each person has something that speaks to their soul. No one is born passion-less. The key is to go within and discover who you are and not what you think you should be. Our true essence is covered up with ego, pride, and so many other emotions that prevent us from seeing our true nature. Remove those layers and you will see who you truly are. No one can do it for you, except yourself and chances are the answers have always been right in front of you.
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I had the same problem, nothing seemed to resonate with me. I was very jealous of people who appeared to know what their passion was. The Olympic athletes on TV, in particular, made me envious because it was so obvious that they were doing exactly what they loved. I wanted to be consumed by something like that.
The only thing that seems to work is to keep trying things.
David Cain’s most recent blog post..There’s Nothing Small About the World
Hi David,
You are not alone in not being consumed by something. I think many people feel like that and I think that trying things is a great approach. Actually, I would consider that a passion. To be curious is a skill and quality that not many people have. So your curiousity is a form of passion, at least that is what I think and believe. I think society makes the mistake of making passions this huge concept but little things can be passions too. Curiousity is not a little thing. It is a skill that causes a person to grow and that is essential for living.
Great post! Ever since I can remember, I’ve been VERY VERY passionate about writing. It’s my favorite thing to do and I cannot imagine doing anything else. (Okay, I don’t necessarily write for a living…but I do write very exciting press releases…haha…) I’m super passionate about this and always have been but I have many, many friends who have no real passion. They like things, but they don’t feel passionate about them. I’ve always felt this huge divide between me and them because I felt as if they didn’t get why I was so into writing and, from my perspective, I just couldn’t get why they weren’t obsessed with something the way I was. I also think this has a lot to do with the type of person you are. Some people are prone to being obsessive, all-about-it types while others don’t feel as strongly about things. Both ways of living are perfectly fine (both have good and bad to them)…equal, but different. I think you did a great job of writing this post. I’m definitely going to share it with my friends!
Positively Present’s most recent blog post..who’s afraid of the big, bad past?
Hi Dani,
Good for you for knowing what you wanted from an early age. You are right that some people do not know and that is fine. I appreciate your honesty at how you could not relate to those who do not have a passion. I am an intense person myself in the sense that I am full of energy and enthusiasm which some people cannot handle. In my mind, life is so full of wonder and beauty. I am always amazed when I meet someone who looks at life with dread. So I agree with you about how some personalities are more inclined to feel strongly about things than others.
I believe many people do have A THING they are passionate about doing, and it’s just a matter of looking within to find it… and then cultivate it. But many of us are just made of passionate STUFF. You know from my recent article about following your passions, that I believe some of us just carry passion with us into anything we do.
I got so many email responses to that post from people telling me they were so relieved to know they are not crazy (or losers) because they hadn’t found their one thing in life. Their passion, like mine, seems to be in the trying of new things… in the learning… in figuring out interesting ways to make it through life.
It is always worth looking within for all sorts of personal truths. If you find a passion, you should follow it. If you don’t… that’s ok too; just enjoy trying lots of new things, like David has been doing.
Lisis’s most recent blog post..Adventure: Dare To Care!
Hi Lisis,
You want to hear something funny? You and I are saying the same thing but using different words. As I told David in my reponse, curiousity to try new things, in my mind, is a form of passion. Passion does not have to be one thing and it does not have to be huge. To want to try new things is a form of curiousity and not many people are curious. I know of people who have no desire to grow and expand their awareness. To want to expand one’s horizons is a passion. I think society complicates the concept unnecessarily. If someone loves to make their bed every morning, that is a passion.
I’m sure this post and the comments will help Uzma a lot. Like ‘Positively Present’, I’ve always known what my core passions were: language, connection, music, spirituality and homemaking. As you mentioned, Nadia, it helps to look back through the timeline of your life and spot recurring themes, see what you’ve been happiest doing, when you’ve most felt yourself.
These are a few of the questions I use to help folk discover their gifts and their passions:
~ What am I happiest talking about?
~What gets me so inspired I can’t wait to get up and get going?
~ What would I do for free if time and money weren’t a consideration?
~What gets me so engrossed that time flies by without me noticing?
Nice one!
Hi Janice,
Life does have recurring themes which I have always found to be amazing. It is like the answers are always in front of you but you just did not see them.
I also think your questions are perfect and great starting points for an inner journey. Isn’t amazing how money is a stumbling block when it comes to passions? I think if money were not a major issue in life, people would live so differently.
Nadia,
You made some great points!
Following our passion does not mean it’s going to be easy. In fact, it can be harder than other paths, but it’s usually more fun.
I smiled when you said the answers our inside of us. My Zen Sensei just gave a talk about how all the answers including realization are already inside us.
Roger – A Content Life’s most recent blog post..12 Happiness Activities – Part 2
Hi my fellow Buddhist!
I agree that following our passions, although challenging at times, are usually more fun.
Your Zen Sensei is a wise man.
All of the answers are inside of us…I have no doubt about it.
I struggle with this. Oh, how I struggle. Sometimes, I don’t think I have any passions at all. There are certainly things that I enjoy doing, and other things that I am good at, but there’s nothing that really lights my fire anymore.
Once upon a time, I was passionate about my music, but I think I killed that part of myself off when my daughter was born, and all of a sudden I had to grow up, “get a haircut, and get a real job.”
Now that I’m thinking more mindfully, I’m playing music again, but it doesn’t enliven me the way it used to.
How sad…..
Jay Schryer’s most recent blog post..Mindful Meditation Monday, Week 3
Hi Jay,
There is no need to feel sad. People grow and they change which is a wonderful thing. I don’t think you killed off your love for music. Your awareness is just wider now so what used to bring you joy, doesn’t. It is like when you watch a movie that you loved from five years ago and you watch again but it does not impress you as much. The same is true for passions. Passions are not stagnate. They ebb and flow. I also think the fact that you are on a spiritual journey is a passion because you are looking for meaning. Not many people care to do the journey and you are, my friend. Don’t be so hard on yourself, you are much more than you realize and I mean every word of it.
Don’t be sad, Jay! I couldn’t stand the thought of that! You are one of those who carry passion within. Perhaps there is a time for everything… a time to be a long-haired musician, a time to re-direct that passion into fatherhood, and a time to re-direct it once again into your beautifully inspiring writing. It is one continuously flowing river of passion, and you can never swim in the SAME river twice. Right?
Your passion has a new purpose, but it’s still very much alive.
Lisis’s most recent blog post..Adventure: Dare To Care!
Hi Lisis,
Your response to Jay is so similar to mine….stop reading my mind!!!!
Great post and great insights.
There is a great deal of angst about finding our passion, being positive, being optimistic, getting up early…the whole self-improvement madness…
The promoters promote it because we gobble it up. It’s like fast food: cheap, repeatable and ultimately harmful. We’re so hungry for the recipe to happiness that we’ll dive right into the madness. The Law of Attraction is a good example.
Awakening out of the madness is far, far simpler than the madness–it is far simpler than the complicated movements of spirituality or self-development.
Release, and be aware–and passion will arise naturally.
Kaushik’s most recent blog post..Release and Heal – 5th Awakening is Simple book excerpt
Hi Kaushik,
Your feelings on the issue were so clear in your comment, thank you for being so open.
You are right, society complicates the issue for no reason. I think passion is far more simple than we realize. As for releasing and being aware, that is definitely the way to go. However, I think people have to exhaust all the other avenues before they reach the point where they can release and be aware. Good for you for reaching that point.
My passion for written language began in middle school. My son’s passion for programming languages began in middle school. I would advise Uzma to look back at her middle and high school years, to the courses and activities she loved then. One of your readers (Lisis maybe?) wrote something recently about how the schooling process (and sometimes parenting) can beat the passion out of a kid. Good advice in school is to spend more time on the subjects you don’t enjoy, to bring up your grades there. It might be better advice for kids to spend more time on the things they love.
Brenda’s most recent blog post..Tiny Pebbles
Hi Brenda,
That is an interesting idea of looking back at the middle and high school years to find one’s passions. However, I agree with Lisis, school does beat the passion out of a kid. It wasn’t until I was in college, that I really loved being in school and realizing that I was capable of doing something with my life. I think many teachers have no passion and that is why some subjects are just not fun.
When I was in college and law school, I had amazing teachers. Each one loved what they were doing and it made going to class so much fun. Maybe that is a reason why schools do beat the passion out of the kid. I have one friend who is a teacher and one of her students wants to be a musician and she is discouraging him because she thinks the chances of that happening are rare. So maybe it depends on the teachers that we have?
Brenda: That was indeed me, guilty as charged. It’s funny that Nadia and I both wrote about this subject around the same time while neither of us knew the other was doing it!
Nadia… I’m beginning to think we share ONE mind. Sometimes you get to use it and other times I do, like the 3 hags in Clash of the Titans that shared one eye… remember those?
Lisis’s most recent blog post..Adventure: Dare To Care!
Hi Lisis,
I do remember that movie but I think we are hotter than those 3 hags.
@Nadia and @ Lisis -Wow. You two really ARE on the same wavelength! I think you’re both right. It’s not that I’ve lost my passion, it’s just that my passion has changed form. I also think it has a lot to do with the difference between the passions you feel as a teenager, and the passions of adulthood. It’s not that the fire has died, but rather that it burns softer, stronger now.
Thanks for your wisdom and encouragement!
Jay Schryer’s most recent blog post..Mindful Meditation Monday, Week 3
Hi Jay,
You are most welcome!
I enjoyed reading this post and all of its comments… I feel very fortunate for the one theme that has always resonated with me, is music— before I ever picked up a guitar, I had a deep sense, an overpowering feeling about music- which, hey tons of us do– but I remember always saying to myself— there is something in music for me, I just don’t know what it is “exactly”— it never dawned on me to play or sing, until my brother bought my mom a guitar for christmas—(I was 32). She didn’t use it, he showed me three chords and I never put the guitar down in that first year— and I continue to this day– I even closed the door on it once in lieu of living in another country for a year…but ultimately I knew that I could never not play— and it brought me back home. I watch my brother struggle a bit, for I see he has so much passion in life period, but is trying to figure out how to manifest it for himself. I’ve no fear he won’t find his way— at the same time, I feel grateful to have found what I consider mine— though as has been mentioned, passion is, period. — without such specific details. No one need get down on themselves, for there is passion in simply adoring a beautiful flower— maybe try to paint it— passion is endless if we allow it to flow forth from within— Thanks for a sweet post.
Hi Molly,
Your story is a great example of how “age” does not mean anything. I love how you took your love for music one step further by learning guitar at the age of 32. That is inspiring because so many people think that being a certain age prevents a person from picking up something new. Yay for you!
I also agree with how you said that passion is endless if we allow it flow forth from within. So true! 
Passion can come in so many shapes and forms. Enjoying a cup of really great tea or coffee can be a passion.
I loved reading this post.
I don’t come from a highly educated family but ever since I learnt to read I have loved reading, books and writing. I also love speaking up for those who can’t. I started seeking a spiritual path when I was 14.
I’m prepared to and have suffered for all I love – so they really are passions in the true sense. I only realised this fully once I read this post. Thank you again Happy Lotus.
Paisley’s most recent blog post..The Last Word
Hi Paisley,
I am so happy that my post brought such clarification. Thank you for that!
Thank you for this post, Nadia. At one time, I too felt frustrated and discouraged at this exhortation: Follow your passion. How could I if I didn’t know it was?!
One of the things that helped me a few years ago was a weekend retreat I went on with the focus of “listening to your life.” We were asked to divide our lives into 7-year increments beginning with birth and to write down the things we loved during those years, the things we were good at, the things that influenced us. We were given crayons and markers, too, to illustrate the strongest ones, and then we were asked to share them in small groups.
It was eye-opening to see the themes that emerged when broken down in this way. I could look back and see recurring sources of joy and influence over the course of my life and begin to make sense of the picture that was my life to that point. These realizations truly helped me to move forward into following these re-discovered passions.
Chania Girl’s most recent blog post..Putting Humpty Together Again: Mending the Cracked Pot
Hi Chania,
Just as Janice said, if we look back at our lives we can see recurring themes and those themes can lead us to discover our passions. Actually, the more I see of life and talk to people, the more I realize how self-awareness is key to making the most out of life. We always tend to look for answers externally but the answers lie inside of us.
Dear Nadia
Thank you so so so much for this post . I was so surprised when I found my name on the post. That was very sweet of you. Your truly an incredible person.
My search for purpose has also led me to try different exercises and books. And most importantly has led me to new discoveries about myself. In trying to find and pursue my purpose , I have found that I have limiting beliefs holding me back. So the search for purpose is taking me closer to my true self.
It’s still hard. But its an incredible journey nevertheless . And I am finding wonderful people like you along the way .
Keep sharing and glowing
God bless
Hi Uzma,
You are most welcome, my friend. I hope the post and the comments from everyone else was of help to you.
You are not alone in having limiting beliefs. We all struggle from that and it is part of being human. However, to be aware of those limiting beliefs is a huge step because so many people are unaware of how they get in their own way. Keep doing the inner work and see where it takes you.
To add, a quote went something like this, “It isn’t what we do , but who we are , that matters.” . As long as we are true to ourselves , find our voices,uncover our true nature , express and live it, that is all that matters. Happiness flows.
Hi Uzma,
Happiness definitely does flow. Yay!
Hi Nadia,
I have only been to your blog a couple of times. I read the entire article and I found it great. I want to read all of the comments but I find it tough. I have skimmed some and it’s great to see people excited to have found their passion or actively in search of it.
I’ve always thought of passion as something I’d do for free. I love to do it so much that I’d do it everyday, all the time if I could. If all of my needs were taken care of what would I choose to do? Oddly enough, I believe everyone knows what they love to do. I can’t believe that there is a search for it. I think if you take a step back, and look around, you should see it. Clearly from reading this here though, is that it’s not as cut and dry. I think it’s okay to know that passions can change. Though one passion, you may start to learn about something else and the more you are involved in that, you begin to move more in that direction. One passion can lead to another.
I didn’t come to this thought easily either though. I suffer from high anxiety and depression. about 1 year ago I finally looked to my doctor for some help. It’s still a daily battle but days are getting better and I finally got some interest back!
I am still trying to learn how to monetize my passion. I love photography, design, art, creativity, self development. I am using these passions to look past my depression. I am also blogging to try and help others with all of these areas I mentioned. I love merging these interests. I finally realized that my photography can be used in different mediums.
I am pretty certain though that you have to ask your question and then just go about your day. You’re passion and interests surface. If anything, be aware of what you’re not passionate about and you might find your passions that way.
Scott Webb’s most recent blog post..HDR Photography Workflow Series: HDR Generation
Hi Scott,
Welcome to Happy Lotus! Thank you so much for sharing your story in regard to discovering your passion. Battling with depression and anxiety is not an easy task. I have had my dark days too so I know what you mean about getting some interest again.
I liked how you said that a passion is something you would do for free. I think money is such a big issue in society it causes some people to not even contemplate their passions because they may feel it is unrealisitic. However, I also know of people who do what they love and earn money from it. I guess it boils down to attitude.
I have reached the conclusion that each person is on a journey and each person has to do what works best for them. We may give advice and share our thoughts but it is up to the individual to decide how he/she wants to proceed. I think that is what makes human interaction great because if we have an open mind, we can learn from one another. So I think it is great that you want to use your talents to help others. I am sure that you will.
Hi Nadia
This is such an wonderful topic. It is true that our passion doesn’t come to us like an email. So we have to keep asking and listening.
I love what you said about, “Each person has something that speaks to their soul. No one is born passion-less.” So if we don’t know it just yet. It doesn’t means that we are passion-less. We just need our mind open…
Thanks for sharing.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Giovanna,
I am so happy that you liked the post. You are absolutely right, one aspect of growing and learning in life is to ask and listen. Hope all is well!
I used to get very bothered with the word “passion” too. I never knew what mine was. I had no understanding of what it was and had to learn it from the perspective provided by my husband, who got his dream realized. It took me years to find out but I am glad to be passionate over what I do now!
It’s wonderful how you are able to weave your interests and passions into your day job! I wish that more of my friends can see how that can be possible, instead of complaining about the office.
Evelyn Lim’s most recent blog post..The School of Life
Hi Evelyn,
Yay for you for discovering your passions! That is wonderful.
I have come to realize that there are so many aspects to passion and that each person has a certain perspective that causes them to behave in a certain way. As I have said before, living life to the fullest is really a matter of attitude. You can either see life as the tragedy or as a beautiful journey. 
Nadia:
Thank you for sharing your story. I feel a lot like you and a lot of your commentors. I feel like I have been searching for my passions for a long time. And like you, I think that my answers are within. I am slowly becoming aware of them, but I am also searching for ways to incorporate these into my life and career. I also have to do a better job of expressing my passions. Too much of my life has been about fitting in and trying to be “normal,” but I am learning that it is OK to be different. Thanks for another thought-provoking post!
Tim’s most recent blog post..Commencement Address Commentary
Hi Tim,
You are not alone in wanting to try to be “normal” and fit in. We all deal with that on some level. Like you, I am working on learning that it is okay to be different. I struggled with that one for years and only in the past six months have I started to feel more at peace with it. I still could be much better at it but at least I am better than I was before. I think it is great that you are aware of what you need to work on because that is a huge step.
“However, I think people have to exhaust all the other avenues before they reach the point where they can release and be aware.”
You may be right. At least this is the conventional spiritual wisdom. The conventional spiritual wisdom also says that awakening is difficult, or requires deep spiritual knowledge, or years of meditation, or years of suffering and so on.
This is the transition to the age of consciousness. A big part of being more conscious is to see beyond conventional wisdom. Awakening is only difficult when we believe it is.
Kaushik’s most recent blog post..“Cease to Cherish Opinion” – 6th Awakening is Simple book excerpt
Hi Kaushik,
My statement about exhausting all other avenues before reaching the point of learning to release and be aware is based on my experience and those of people that I know. So I would not say it is conventional spiritual wisdom because the beauty of spirituality (and of life) is that each person has to take their own path and no two paths are exactly alike. At least that is my opinion.
I definitely agree with you that we are transitioning to the age of consciousness. This transition may seem to be obvious and not as difficult as we think but to many people it is very hard. I think all we can do is send compassion out into the world and do what we can to help others to become more conscious.
I always had a hard time with “passions”. I have passing fancies that usually fizzle with the seasons. I have a lot of unfinished projects, uncompleted clothing, half empty (or should I say full?) canvases.
Nothing has really captured me long term.
Carla’s most recent blog post..And the winner is….
Hi Carla,
Welcome to Happy Lotus! There is no set method to living your passions. Maybe one of your passions is to try many things. There is nothing wrong in doing that.
Nadia, thank you for this post. I could really relate to your story.
For the past few years I was struggling within myself to find my ‘passion’. Somehow I got more desperate when those around me found their passions and are happily living them. I got so frustrated at one point I just cried. I was really upset with myself.
Until I got this advice: Let go and live your life one day at a time. Take your time. The answer will come to you.
True enough it did. I was ‘blind’ to it all these while, not noticing that the answer was in front of me all these time!
Like you said: “Our true essence is covered up with ego, pride, and so many other emotions that prevent us from seeing our true nature.”
Grace’s most recent blog post..Self-worth
Hi Grace,
Welcome to Happy Lotus! Even though I know you from Twitter, I wanted to give you the official welcome.
Thank you so much fo sharing your journey. I am sure many people will be inspired by how you said that your passions were in front of you the entire time. The same was true for me. Kind of funny…in a way. It is like having your keys in your pocket but you are looking all around your place trying to find them.
Thanks for this post. One thing I’d add is an exercise I’ve found useful and that I sometimes offer to clients. To do the exercise, write down a list of possible goals on a sheet of paper, and start slowly scanning your attention down the page, noticing how your body feels as you read each possible path in life. Do you feel a sense of warmth and openness, for instance, or does your body feel closed and tight? This is a great way to dig down to your deepest instincts as opposed to what you may have convinced yourself that you “should” do.
Hi Chris,
Thank you for sharing with us how you help your clients find their passions. Your comment confirms the belief that on some level we already know what our passions are but we are not aware of them yet.
Hey everyone,
Lisis , Brenda, Janice, Chris and everyone.
Thank you so much for your advise. It’s great to know that so many people are so joyously helping others and creating a great community here. Nadia good energy generation is happening…
Indeed, the perspective of others does help us grow and learn.
God bless to everyone
Well done on even recognizing the need to find your passion, and then persisting until you found them! Well done again for finding a way to integrate them into your life, even though your work does not, as yet, involve them. Don’t be surprised when your life and work evolves to the point where you are living your passions daily. We are not given our talents lightly. I feel sure you are at the beginning of a journey upon which you will fully utilize your talents. Keep up the good work.
Live Life Happy!
Jacqueline Johns – Your Happy Life Mentor’s most recent blog post..Happy Products
Hi Jacqueline!
Welcome to Happy Lotus! Thank you so much for all the encouraging words. I really appreciate it.
By the way, I checked out your site and it is great to “meet” another supporter of happiness.
Hi Nadia –
This is the first time I’ve stumbled upon your blog. This post was absolutely amazing. I never knew that the root of the word passion was suffering. How insightful!
I’m so glad for you that you have found your passion. Not everyone can be lucky enough to make a living off of their passion. But it’s certainly something to pursue when you’re not working. And that sounds like exactly what you’re doing.
Thanks for sharing your insights!
Vi | Maximizing Utility’s most recent blog post..On Loving Yourself
Hi Vi!
Welcome to Happy Lotus! I am so happy you came across my blog and that you enjoyed the post. I was amazed when I learned that the root meaning of passion was suffering because I would have never thought of it. Passion is one of those topics that is so broad yet we limit it in a way by thinking it is only one thing as opposed to it being whatever we choose it to be.
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