Live Your Passion
When Did We Lose our Passion?
When I was growing up, I wanted to be a writer. I had a wildly creative imagination and even wrote a book in the fifth grade. My writing skills were recognized and encouraged. But by the time I reached middle school, I convinced myself that pursuing a career in healthcare made more sense. It wasn’t entirely my idea; my family (particularly my granny) was much more excited about the prospect of me becoming a doctor than about me being a writer. The idea of being the first Black doctor on both sides of my family carried a weight that I couldn’t ignore.
I let my desire to write fade because becoming a doctor felt like the more respected path. I wanted to gain acceptance—from my family, from my peers, from society. In hindsight, though, I realize that the acceptance I sought from others was never the point. Life isn’t about meeting others’ expectations; it’s about living authentically and making a difference—whether that difference is personal or global.
The Programming That Changed Me
For years, I believed that achieving success as a doctor would validate me. But the only validation I ever needed was my own. Over time, I realized that my passion for medicine was not truly mine—it was manufactured by external pressures and expectations. Yet, my passion for writing never left me. And to be honest, math was never really my thing, so deep down, I always knew medicine wasn’t right for me.
Returning to writing has been liberating. There’s a freedom in letting my thoughts flow naturally, unfiltered and unguided. I’m so grateful for this gift, and I wish more people could find the courage to live out their passions. Yes, we all need to make a living, but who says you can’t also pursue your passion alongside your job?
During my time working as a scribe in the ER, I met so many doctors who had lost their passion for medicine. They had become machines, going through the motions of their jobs. I respect the field and the people who dedicate their lives to it, but it was disheartening to see how drained and detached some of them were. One medical director I worked with embodied this detachment. He worked long, grueling shifts—48 to 72 hours at a time—with no visible emotion. Maybe he had seen too much to let anything phase him, or maybe he was just burned out. Either way, it was clear that his passion for the work had faded.
Whenever he had time off, he would leave town, traveling to escape his reality. His story made me think: how many of us are living in alignment with our passions? How many of us are simply trying to get by and pay the bills?
What is Life About?
Life is about more than just paying bills. Yes, we have responsibilities, but what if indulging in our passions was the missing link to a more fulfilled and successful life? I’m not suggesting that anyone quit their job on a whim, but why not make room for your passions while maintaining the stability of your career? Explore what lights you up and see where it leads.
If more of us could do this, I truly believe society would be a little happier. We’re all too stressed, especially those of us who take life too seriously. But maybe life isn’t meant to be taken so seriously. We’re human. We make mistakes. We’re not here to be perfect; we’re here to have the best experience we can, moment by moment.
So let’s stop worrying so much about the future and start savoring the present. Because really, all we have is right now.
By: Bria the Editor
Nov. 30, 2024
