Archive for June, 2010

It’s a good question and one that has been examined in journalism schools across the country for years.  I remember having such a debate in graduate school.  I was in grad school when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks took place.  Of course discussions arose on how the attacks were being covered in the news.  Some students were appalled at the reporters who showed emotion.  One even questioned whether reporters should wear American flag pins.  After all, that showed an allegiance to a country.

But, I would daresay that truly objective reporting is not possible.  Every writer has his or her own set of circumstances that have shaped his or her worldview.  Those creep into coverage on even the most mundane articles.  I am incredibly wary of anyone who claims to be 100 percent objective.  We all have opinions.  They tend to make an appearance, even in small ways.  Of course, we can guard against this and should do so to the best of our ability.

Journalists must first recognize their biases before they can overcome them.  For example, I personally don’t drink alcohol for various reasons, including religious ones.  A few years ago, I was writing a section for the newspaper that required me to cover food at some local bars.  This was way out of my comfort zone.  I checked myself often to make sure that I was staying objective and giving them the coverage they deserved, which was focusing on their food.  I knew that I had a predisposition that needed to be examined.  I knew that I needed to be just as fair to these establishments as I was to the family restaurants I was covering for the same section.  That said, I do have limits.  I know where my objectivity would no longer be able to function.  And I would not cover those topics.

I have to know my biases to be a better writer.  And while I don’t consider commentators like Nancy Grace to be journalists, I do at least respect that she makes no bones about not being objective.  Objectivity is possible, but only to a certain degree.  Because no one lives in a bubble with no life experiences, true objectivity is not possible.

For my work, I have to ask questions.  If I didn’t ask questions, I couldn’t get the information I need to write articles — simple as that.  However, sometimes I can get carried away with questions in my personal life as well.  I’m not saying that I’m nosy, but occasionally, I’m in such a habit of interviews that I start interviewing someone I’m talking with.

My husband most often calls me on it.  We were having lunch on Father’s Day when I popped an interview question on him.

“So, what’s surprised you most about being a father?” I asked, thinking it made perfect sense to discuss since it was his first Father’s Day.

“Really?  I”m getting interviewed today?” was his response.

I can’t help it.  Fortunately he’s patient with me.  Other times asking questions can come in handy.  I’m a stereotypical introverted writer.  So for times when I need to make small talk or talk with people I don’t know well, I often call on my interview skills to get me through.  I don’t grill people or follow a set line of questions like I do for work, but I have realized that people love to answer questions about themselves.  In the end, it works well because I love learning about other people.

So, tell me about you.  What’s your life like?  What do you do a typical day?  What has surprised you most about life?  What do you look forward to in the future?  I could keep going and going.

If you’ve been “interviewed” by me in real life, feel free to chime in.  Asking questions is what I do!

Sometimes I inadvertently help myself.  Usually I write these blog posts based on how I feel at the time.  I type what’s on my mind at that moment.  Sometimes those words come back to me.  This is one of those times.  The last three posts have all come together today to encourage me.  So weird how that works.

Three weeks ago, I wrote about how the end of a big project was bittersweet for me.  Then I wrote about how attitude makes a difference.  Last week I wrote about how I learned from my dog to just trust that God knows where we’re going.  So, yesterday when I got the news that a regular section I’ve been writing is ceasing to exist after this week, I had my own advice to fall back on!

I have enjoyed writing this particular section.  The articles have been fun.  The steady income has been nice.  But, I was starting to feel a bit like it was time to move on.  Now I know for sure that it is.  When I got the news, my initial reaction wasn’t sadness.  Instead I thought, “OK, God.  Where are we going now?”  That is progress!

I feel like I’m standing at the precipice of something big.  I don’t know what it is.  I don’t know where we’re going, but I’m going to continue doing what I love — researching, writing and editing — and see where it takes me.

While I’m relatively new at being a mom to a human, I’ve been a mom to a dog for nearly five years.  In fact, my adorable Lhasa Apso, Buckles, will celebrate his fifth birthday on June 25.

But, beyond just looking for an excuse to show off my cute pooch, I have a point.  While being Buckles’ mom I have learned lessons.  Earlier this week, I learned a big one from him.

I had just put his human sister down for a nap and needed to go and get the mail.  Buckles loves traipsing out front with me on his leash to get the mail.  I didn’t want to wake up his sister.  So, as I was letting him in from the backyard, I picked up his leash nearby without saying a word.  He saw the leash and knew we were going somewhere.  He didn’t know where.  I didn’t even ask him if he wanted to go get the mail, which is the phrase he knows.  He was just excited to go with me.

So that got me thinking about my relationship with God.  I have many times bemoaned the fact that I didn’t know what God had planned for me.  I have said time and again that I wish He’d just send a note so I’d know what the plan was.  But God and faith don’t work that way.  Instead, I need to be more like Buckles.  He was up for going anywhere with me.  He trusted me completely because I’ve never led him astray.  God has never led me astray.  He’s led me through some dark times and deep valleys, but He’s never let me go.

As my life shifts once again with change, I’m ready to be harnessed to God and follow His lead.  Just like my dog, I may not know where I’m going, but I know Who is taking me and that’s all that matters.

I recently stumbled upon this quote from Dr. Norman Vincent Peale: “Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our successes or failure.”  Dr. Peale is known for his positive thinking philosophies.  And he is the founder of Guideposts magazine.

I have learned throughout my life that attitude makes such a big difference.  While I think of it more on a personal level, I realize that attitude also affects my professional life as well.  On days when I wake up and think how much I don’t want to do work or how tired I am, then I’m not productive.  On days when I wake up and am excited to start researching a new project or don’t even consider my energy level, then I’m productive.  Everything gets marked off my to-do list.

Figuring out how to always have the right attitude is a challenge.  I’ve found a few things lately that have helped me.

• Listening to the right kind of music.  I enjoy all types of music, but lately contemporary Christian music has gotten me going the most.  Southern/country gospel can do the same.
• Adhering to a schedule.  While schedules may interfere with creativity for some, they help me to stay on track and be productive.  This is even more true now with caring for a baby.  I know when she goes down for her morning nap that I usually have two hours of uninterrupted work time and I need to make the best of it.  The same is true for her hour-long afternoon nap.
• Finding projects that inspire and uplift me.  I’m fortunate in that I get to chose my work.  However, not all articles are super exciting topics if I am to be completely honest.  If I balance with enough that are exciting to me, then it works really well.
• Remembering that I’m doing what I love.  Writing and editing have long been my passions.  Being a mother is a newer passion of mine.  Working from home as a freelancer combines both so well.  It may be hectic, stressful and crazy sometimes, but I get to do what I love.

What helps you maintain a good attitude?