Let's face it, I complain about work all the damn time. For almost 12 years now I've worked in healthcare public relations, and for most of you, that means nearily nothing. I'm not offended, we rarely know what are friends and family really do for a living. I know that Schmotty does stuff to computers, Missy does stuff with the law, and so on. And I'm not even going to even attempt to understand the hardest role most of you play as parents.
Most of you only know the work I've done with Dr Atkins...a few of you saw me in the background on tv. And so on... And for as much as I complain you probably wonder 1) why its so damn stressful and 2) why I keep doing it.
When Dr. A died, we held a memorial. It was a largely orchestrated event, and I was stunned to see that the people who knew him the least were the ones that were most touched.
Was he merely a doctor that tried to get you to give up bread? Well, that's one interpretation of the story. However, when you read the news today and people talk about limiting your sugar intake, well...he played a mighty big role in changing that. He warned me numerous times about what would happen to us with obesity and diabetes. Sadly, its all come true.
When he died and I finally decided to leave the company, I left with one big goal. I needed to work for something or someone that had the same passion he did. I saw it, I may not have fully understood it. But I knew for me to do what I do, I needed to believe and be inspired with someone who had passion.
So, I searched. I turned down some incredible opportunities to work on things I love...WaWa, Ikea, casinos...you name it.
And then through a series of fortunte events, I was introduced to a mental health nonprofit. And I was struck for a mulititude of reasons, that I must have this job.
I pursued it like nothing I've ever done before. And when I met the woman who was one of the founders, I knew why. Because she had the same spark that he did. She had the passion and was able to bring it out in others.
Sadly, she passed about a year ago and today she was honored at the National Institute for Mental Health. A place that barely existed until the 80s, when people like her stood up and had the courage to admit they had a problem and needed help.
Unlike the work I do in obesity, you can't see mental health issues. You may not know what it is like to be trapped in your own mind, unable to get out. I've witnessed it too often in my lifetime, hell, to an extent I lived it and continue to do so. Seeing and living mental health issues brings upon a mixture of emotions that range from frustration to sheer terror. Some people are afraid to even say they have a problem, some people don't even believe it. It's a complex situation than can result in very unfortunate issues - isolation, eating disorders and sadly, suicide.
I know people go to work every day, and its just a job. People tell me what I do is "just a job". And there are aspects in which that is completely correct. But, at the end of the day, I am me... and what I've come to learn about me is that for better or worse, I have been exposed to and have a great deal of passion in my own right. It just so happens, is that my passion is for people. And one part of my "job" is to make people with something real and important to say, get heard. Fortunately, you know, that me being a loud Italian, helps me get that job done.
I would never be so ignorant to say that my role in getting folks heard is any bigger than just that, one small part in a big play. But those small roles, have led me to enormous opportunities to be a part of passion and greatness. I've had the opportunity to hear thanks from folks, whether it was a diet or a medical treatment that "saved their lives". I don't take credit for that, but I'm glad that I can be a part. It makes me feel pretty damn good in fact to know that work that I've done has translated far and wide. Somewhere, there is someone that is taking a first step towards better health because I helped spread the word.
I also would never be so ignorant as to not thank all of you, who play similar roles every day and rarely get thanked for them. You may see my work in a paper or on TV, but I get to see you work in the children you raise and ok, I will be so selfish as to say, the smile you bring to my face. I know you think I'm crazy when I tell you that you're all my heroes. You all are each so special in very different and unique ways. And, with my passion being people, I get to see that in each of you. I see the amazing value that all of you bring to the people in your lives. I may now be blessed with beyond perfect vision, but that is one thing I've always been able to see clearly. It's one of the few skills that I'll admit to with great pride.
If you're still reading, I'm on a roll, so I'm going to try to explain that with a quote from As Good As It Gets:
"I might be the only person on the face of the earth that knows you're the greatest woman on earth. I might be the only one who appreciates how amazing you are in every single thing that you do, and how you are with Spencer, "Spence," and in every single thought that you have, and how you say what you mean, and how you almost always mean something that's all about being straight and good. I think most people miss that about you, and I watch them, wondering how they can watch you bring their food, and clear their tables and never get that they just met the greatest woman alive. And the fact that I get it makes me feel good, about me."
I can't think of a better thing to give thanks for this Thanksgiving than that.
My continued love to you all. I look forward to seeing some of you soon.
Smooches,
G
