In With the New!
“Out with the old; in with the new.” That popular phrase encapsulates all of 2013 for me. From start to finish, the last 12 months were about transitition and growth in absolutely every area of my life. Everything new…from the personal to the professional, from my geography to my weekly schedule. New job, new challenge, new routine, new address, new church, new friends, new start! It’s a good thing I didn’t realize all that was in store or I would have been overwhelmed. God knows exactly how much of His plan to reveal: enough that I can see His hand at work, but not so much that I’m rendered immobile by what looms on the horizon. I’ll admit much of 2013 swept by in a blur. At times, it was all I could do to hang on for dear life.
The word that comes to mind when I think back on the last year? MOVING! I spent most of 2013 physically moving my belongings from my house in the woods to an apartment on the side of someone else’s house. The moving happened in spurts, and even after the transfer from Connecticut to New Jersey was completed in July, there seemed no end to the consolidating and organizing. In fact, that process isn’t quite over. Turns out it’s not all that easy to cram into a space half the size. But at least 99% of what I own is now in the same county. Ha!
While I moved to a new address in 2013, I also moved into a new creative phase of my career. CBS Sports Radio gives me the freedom to spread my wings on the air. When hosting talk shows, I get to share my unique opinions on the topics I choose in my own unconventional way. I moved into a realm of new possibilities where I can develop my style and delivery by trial and error. I’ll be the first to admit my ideas don’t always work, but knowing I have the freedom to try gives me confidence to take risks. After Hours with Amy Lawrence has definitely morphed and changed a ton since we launched the show last January 4th. It’s a wild ride that never stops moving!
So often in 2013, I had to force myself to get moving. While my dog Penny and the commute into New York City keep me on the go, my exercise routine was thrown off-kilter more than I’d like to admit. When fatigue and stress threaten, I’ve always found that exercise is a great way to combat both. Training for the “Race for the Cure” in Central Park in September motivated me to get moving on those days when I felt lethargic; but in the next 12 months, I need to double my efforts on the exercise front. Move it!! Haha. Socially, I had to make the decision to move out of my comfort zone. Starting a new job feels like the first day of school. I spent a good portion of last year getting to know the people at CBS, understanding how they operate, and finding common ground. And it was no different personally. I may have introduced myself to more people in 2013 than any other year of my life. Moving out of my comfort zone, for sure!
Ever go through a phase of your life that pushes, pulls and stretches you and requires all you have to give? That was 2013 for me! Starting over is an understatement; and this time last year, I wasn’t sure I could do it. But we all face crossroads in our lives where the unknown lies in front of us; and no matter how scary or daunting it seems, we recognize there’s no going back. And so we move forward…some days quickly and confidently; other days, slowly and more timidly. Some days, we cover miles; other days, only a few feet. I love how the start of a new year gives a chance to look back, even briefly, to see how far we come.
It’s amazing the distance covered in my 2013 journey: personally, professionally, physically, emotionally, socially, financially, and spiritually. My goal for 2014? Keep moving! Maybe the changes are more internal than external this year; more subtle than overt. Let’s hope they have nothing to do with geography and physical location, though. I could do without that kind of moving for awhile. Ha! But I do want to look back a year from now and know I didn’t stay the same.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:18-19
Happy New Year!
Play by Play Day by Day with Amy Lawrence 
January 4, 2014 at 2:37 am
Hope 2014 is a very good year for you, Amy!
January 4, 2014 at 11:38 am
It can be very difficult to start over, but you have handled it with your typical charm, grace, and determination. You stopped to “smell the roses” when you got your new position and you have made it your own. Continued best wishes and I am looking forward to one of those “insomnia nights” to get to listen to your show.
January 4, 2014 at 11:53 am
Been listening to you since you subbed for Erik on the sportsbash. You know your stuff, you don’t succumb to dumb predictions and i am totally digging your assertive style on Afterhours. (On the nose on Dez Bryant’s passion!) Congrats and God Bless!.
January 4, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Amy, just read your blog and I have to say, very enlightening and inspirational. I graduated with a broadcasting degree about 25 years ago and have been out of the business for about 20. I stumbled upon blog talk radio and am doing webcasts. With a full time job and son to provide for it’s tough to maintain that hobby. But reading blogs like this one gives me inspiration o find time to keep going. And for that I say thank you and keep up great work!
January 26, 2014 at 7:21 am
Amy, you are my favorite. I’m always glad when I tune in and you are on. I wish you could move up to that 10-2 time slot during the week. You certainly have had a busy year. It sounds like you did it pretty much on your on without a “mate.” You are a real trooper. My only suggestion is that you might want to expand your reading, to which end I would suggest the following authors: Susan Jacoby, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Anne Nicol Gaylor, Bart Erdman & Dan Barker to name a few.