Retrospective

Every job that I've ever had has taught me something.

There have been very few jobs that I've dreaded to get up for in the morning. Certainly there were aspects of every job that were not pleasant, but for the most part, I have been able to enjoy each one that I've had--from being a farmwife and mother to being an elected county commissioner.

By far the most fun job, however, was my 13 years of being a reporter for a locally owned, small-town newspaper. Every day, every week was different. I met an amazing variety of interesting people, from governors and chief executive officers to poverty-stricken indigents. To get paid for doing what I enjoy most--writing--was a bonus.

At Balboa Park in San Diego in Aug. 2013

This blog started out to be an account of transitioning from my last regular job--being a county commissioner--to being retired. The transition was not always smooth. I knew that I was not ready to spend my days sitting in a recliner. Although my retirement assets were sufficient to "pay the bills," supplemental income would be needed to travel, make donations and accomplish other "quality of life" goals. I have been blessed with relatively good health and continued energy.

Pursuing several different avenues of service--both paid and volunteer--a number of doors along the way would not open for me. No matter--my daily devotional book reminded me today that the Apostle Paul was often guided by closed doors and prohibitions. (Shouldn't what was good enough for the Apostle Paul be good enough for me?) But at times I was left wondering, "Well, what now, Lord?"

Friends advised me that when a door closes, look for a window. Sure enough, within days--sometimes hours--new windows of opportunity inevitably came my way. Three years after retirement, I am enjoying a fun, challenging and fulfilling variety of activities ranging from being a volunteer driver for my county to being president-elect of the Minnesota Library Trustees and Advocates. I am also blessed to have gotten back into my "most fun" occupation of being paid to write, as a freelance journalist.

Transitioning back into journalism from having been in politics took a little time. My old editor had advised me to "report the news, don't make the news." Editors tend to be skeptical of the motives of politicians of all stripes--current and former. My first attempts to pick up free-lance jobs resulted in closed doors. (That, however, wound up being a blessing in disguise as my family needed my time--temporarily--as a caregiver more than I needed writing jobs.) Eventually, however, my experience and capabilities cracked open a window or two. Then, the doors opened again, and I'm as busy now as I care to be.

In some ways, I am probably more conscientious about accuracy than I was before. Having occasionally been the victim of unethical or lazy journalists when I was in public office, I have experienced first-hand the pain of having false and misleading information connected to my name. Although this week's newspaper is, indeed, next week's garbage can liner, the written word has the ability to change policy, inspire and make a difference in people's lives. It also becomes a part of tomorrow's history.

As 2014 begins, I am grateful to have a variety of past and future writing assignments, as well as opportunities to assist my community as a volunteer.