Health Beat

How often are you intentional versus how much of your day do you just get caught up in the wind and moved along? In essence, that’s at the heart of my studies right now as I work toward becoming a certified health coach. The work dovetails with my journalism as a health reporter and as a bioethicist.

Clearly this work is an intentional choice. Even so, it’s work I’ve put off, easily distracted by other things. There was always a show to audition for, or a cabaret to collaborate on with my 4 p.m. co-anchor Jerry Gretzinger. Perhaps it was a distance run that needed my mental and physical attention. In short, while I had a dream, I hadn’t thought it through, hadn’t envisioned it, hadn’t taken the concrete steps to achieve it. We have to make that commitment, be curious about where it will lead us, and have the courage to take the first step. Yes, every journey begins with that first step, but it may not lead us to the destination we thought we were headed toward. There are often new doorways that open, new roadways that hold an appeal. The question we have to ask at each junction is: Will that road get me where I want to go? As we slowly emerge from the pandemic, we may be facing life changes wrought by the time away from work, friends, and family. How will you get back on track? Do you want the same old track? What choices are presenting now? Be in the moment, be aware of what you want, name it so you give it life, and have the confidence to make it happen. Remember the words of Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Benita Zahn, Dps-bioethics 518-207-4820 / Bzahn@wnyt.com Facebook.com/benitazahn Instagram.com/benitatv13

Watch Benita interview Capital Region health experts at wnyt.com/health