“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucious
During my journalistic career, I wrote thousands of stories some of which I kept, like this one about the Utah Air National Guard encouraging women to join up For this assignment, I got to ride in a refueling tanker and watch over a crewman’s shoulder as he refilled an F-16. And on the way back, we flew over the Grand Canyon. Did I mention how much I loved my job.
My Latest Dream was No Fun
It is not uncommon for me to step back in time to my newspaper journalism days in my dreams. Most often I find myself chasing a story, overcoming obstacles to obtain all the facts, then rushing to get it written before deadline.
Sometimes I wake up before the story is complete, which annoys me. I even try to go back to sleep so I can finish the task. I took Confucious’ advice and did find a job I loved.
Other assignments that were special to me were the times I got to write about good people, like this one about Paul Rokich, who was known as the Johnny Appleseed of the Ouirrh Mountains.
I also have working dreams when I find myself in a pickle of a mess, like not having a pen to write with or getting lost on the way to an assignment, or simply missing deadline. On the morning of these dreams it usually takes me a while to convince myself that the dream isn’t real and I’m not going to get yelled at by an editor.
Part of my 37 years as a journalist, however, I was also an editor, and the dreams I have along this vein involve me doing a better job of the task than I know I did when it wasn’t a dream. I had the heart of a reporter, and only the better pay near the end of my career prompted me to become a desk-bound editor.
But I even enjoy these dreams, because they teach me something about myself.
I didn’t, however, enjoy the dream I had last night. I found myself attending a political gathering, and despite all the talking going on, I couldn’t find something to write about. Every word coming out of the candidates’ mouths sounded childish, gibberish or involved unsubstantiated claims or even bullying of people because of their looks.
When I finally woke up, I was angry, and there was no doubt in my mind where this dream had come from. What made me even angrier is that I suspect I might be having more of these nightmares in the coming days.
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Fascinating! I dream vividly, so vividly that I sometimes think that what happened in the dream really did. Confusing.
I visit many places in my dreams jm, and I do sometimes confuse them with real places. Interesting don’t you think?
What a great career! Have you ever written a memoir of your more interesting moments?
Thanks Wordsmith. Yes I have, and have even started it. The book will be called Between Wars because I began my career during the Vietnam War, and my first significant interview was with a mother who lost a son in battle. We cried together over the phone. And my last year was spent writing columns urging the United States not to go into Iraq the second time. During these years I had three children serve in the military.
Wow, that sounds absolutely amazing! I cannot wait to read it. That is a very important time period in our history, not covered by the history classes we get in high school and college. Thank you!