Breathe, and listen.

Its not uncommon to perk up and focus when someone speaks in a whisper.  The subconscious thinking there is more content to be gained with less volume.  It may be, or not.  Either way it has your attention.

With television, radio, and the coffee shop clubs constant incessant talking, pontificating, open judgement - when is there time to listen?
Are you able to hear what your telling yourself?  Deep down there is a right, and wrong, and the ability to listen to it needs to be refined.  How much noise are you blocking out, how much energy does it take?  Does it distract you from being the person you want to be?

What was it that drove you to begin?  Listening to yourself at moments of calm will undoubtedly produce a vision of the path you truly desire to walk.  Have the guts to start, keep going uphill, see whats around the bend, and always move forward.  It's always going to be one step, one breathe, one moment.

When you remember a time that you were you, in your truest sense, the task you are doing or the people you are with are a clue as to what makes you happiest.  It's a sign that you are woking with purpose, which leads to passion, and fulfillment.  Let yourself be taken back to what moves you.  You don't need to be a hard ass to be a bad ass.  Just keep following your dreams.

There's calm in there.