I think it's safe to say that we all have something that we are passionate about.

Maybe you're a musician of some sort and you never feel freer than when you're playing or creating the music you love. Perhaps you're like me and that passion is the written word. I know for me, writing feels like it puts air in my lungs and sucks it right back out.

Whatever your passion is--- never let its level of practicality or impracticality keep you from nurturing it.

I know better than most how easy it is to let what you love the most sit on the back burner, especially if you've already decided that you won't be making a career out of it. For me, a career in writing just seemed too far out of reach. Whenever it came time to start thinking about college, I put my journal away and threw myself into my science classes. It felt good to focus on the subjects that would earn me the career I had in mind, but it also left me feeling empty.

The truth is, I just wasn't in love with biology or chemistry the way I was in love with reading and writing, and no amount of practicality could fill that void.

Now, I have done my best to find a happy medium between the two. I am still a biology major and I still plan to go to medical school, but I have embraced that I can never let go of what I am passionate about.

Obviously, I'm here at Odyssey writing my articles about whatever speaks to me that particular week. I'm very thankful for this opportunity to express myself and to have a platform for my writing.

Recently, I accepted a volunteer position as a creative editor for a publishing group a dear friend of mine has started, and this gives me the chance to put my more artistic works out there to be read, as well as help other writers fine tune their own work. This is a lot of work for me, but I have never felt so fulfilled.

Feed your passions. Never ever let yourself put down that one thing that makes you an individual. Nurture your gifts no matter what, because when you do, you nurture your heart and your mind as well.

Your passions are worth pursuing in some shape or form. Write your stories, compose your music, and make the most beautiful art.

If it makes you smile and feel complete, it's worth it.---and it always will be.