HR Newsletters 2020

Part 2—WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Dr. Andrea Mayfield

With a love for adventure it is not surprising that my face was crammed between the pages of a book when I wasn’t creating my own excitement in the physical world. Reading was my escape. It was, and still is, an adventure between the pages, which allowed me to ex- perience the remarkable from the comfort of my bedroom. During my early years as a young person, I rarely pondered the impact that reading had on my personality, my life choices, and on my career path. Even though every Birthday, and Christmas wish included a list of books, I rarely thought about why reading was an important aspect of my existence. I realize now, reading was my teacher. My love for the story and the life lessons embedded within the characters are still an important part of my life. When I think about the long relationship I have had with pages filled with adventure, life lessons, and raw emotions, I can’t help but wonder if reading as a passion is all but extinct. Reading for the sheer joy of experiencing the adventure, the mystery, and life lessons that tend to linger long after the book is finished doesn’t seem to be held as dear in the lives of young people today. As I grew older I began to appreciate reading as a cumulative lesson that became my foundation for success. Reading and comprehension fueled my drive to learn, to experience, and to under- stand, not only myself, but the world around me. It is for this reason, I attribute much of my success to my love of reading. From children’s books to those for adults, the written message teaches the reader how to embrace change, think analytically, and work with others. They teach us to love and to grieve. They teach us to wish for what we want and work hard to get there.

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