Finding Passion: A Tribute to Andy Rooney from 60 Minutes
Andy Rooney died Friday night after delivering his 1,097th and final televised commentary. Thank you Andy for bringing laughter and thought-provoking commentary into my life. You will be missed.
“Show me what you love to do and I will show you how to make money.”
You have heard me say that a million and one times over my career from stage, on TV, radio and in print. I’m emphatic about this statement.
Its not hard to make money its HARD to figure out what your TRUE passion is. I hear thousands of ‘passions’ from people I meet across the USA and Canada and almost 3/4 of the time they are off their mark. Thirty seconds into a conversation with me most realize I am correct. They like something and may be naturally drawn to it but it is not their passion, it’s their obsession. (see below for questions you can answer to help you find YOUR true passion)
Andy Rooney however found his passion early on and never strayed from who he was. Like him or hate him, he was “authentic Andy” and he prided himself on being the gifted and very talented writer that he was. It’s extremely difficult to write simple sounds bites.
As a kid I tuned in to 60 Minutes only to see Andy Rooney, and most of the time I busted out laughing at what he said or did. Other times it sparked 20 questions that I asked my father when topics were way over my head. Yep I was tenacious and relentless even then. 
I didn’t always agree with Andy but loved his simple boldness for pointing out the obvious. That gift he had has stuck with me all throughout my career. It’s always the simplest of ideas that are the most brilliant.
What a gift! — to be able to live your passion out loud to the world until 92 years of age. I find it no coincidence that less than a month after his last appearance on 60 Minutes at the end of “A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney,” he has passed away. Real passion is something that is born “of” you it lives and breathes as part of you and when it’s gone often so are you. Andy died Friday night after delivering his 1,097th and final televised commentary.
What a true inspiration! Andy said Writers don’t retire…. I believe Entrepreneurs don’t either. Lets hope we’re all still plugging away at 92 with passion still burning brightly in our lives from the inside out.
Here are a few thought-provoking questions of my own to help you determine your TRUE passion:
1. What puts a smile on your face?
2. What do you find easy?
3. What would you do for free?
Wishing you a life of passion,
Amilya
