Amy's Blog

WHAT’S YOUR PASSION???

  After attending a presentation earlier this week at Belmont University, I'm reminded of the importance of doing what you love for a living.  We can get stuck in a real rut if we don't consciously ask ourself, from time to time, do I really enjoy what I'm spending most of my life doing?  Sometimes all it takes is being around someone who truly loves what they do each day.  I was reminded of that when I saw a former colleague of mine speak to students Monday at Belmont in Nashville.  Roshini Rajkumar used to be a reporter at Newschannel 5, where I anchored the 5 and 10 pm news for ten years.  She started her own communications consulting business about five years ago, and wrote a book called "Communicate That!"  She spoke to students about powerful presentations, and how to communicate effectively, no matter what you're doing.  Roshini is very dynamic and has taken her own advice!  I love seeing other women finding success in their own ways, on their own terms. Why am I writing about her in a heart-related blog?  Because I believe that loving what you do every day has to make you a healthier person.  Of course I'm not basing this on any scientific knowledge.  This just comes from watching people who are passionate about what they do.  It seems they are often the same people who take really good care of themselves.

   I, too, left the news business five years ago after more than 20 years of reporting and anchoring in several cities, including Nashville and Minneapolis.  I loved what I did and the people I worked with, but  the passion I felt for the job and the hours I had to be there (nights) had greatly diminished.  I felt like I was getting in a rut.  So after careful consideration, I left the business.  Do I miss it?  Sometimes. But have I grown and found other doors opening?  Absolutely.  Do I feel better?  Yes!  I feel a sense of freedom and flexibility.  Scary decision?  Yes. Am I suggesting you quit your job?  NO!  But sometimes change is good and healthy. 

  After hosting last week's heart summit at Saint Thomas Hospital, I know the current thinking is that lifestyle has a seventy percent impact on our  health and wellness.  So, what we eat, whether we exercise, whether we smoke, what we do basically, has everything to do with our health.  Genetics and our environment also play a role, but not as significant as our own behavior. I've said it before and I'll say it again that I also believe that strong relationships and humor play a role in the equation too.  Strong friendships, laughter and again passion for life and whatever work we do, whether it's a career or volunteer work, plus hobbies give us those good feelings that are hard to measure.

   Find your passion.  Don't try to compare yourself to anyone else.  You are unique and so is your health.  Take control of it.  Love your heart!          

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