CONSIDER THIS: The Disembodied Voice of Virtue

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Michael Rodriguez

Michael Rodriguez

Exhausted and under pressure to meet a particularly grueling deadline, I recently felt the strain of my everyday duties seep into the consciousness of this already-burdened mind. And while tension is certainly not an alien concept to any newspaper editor, there are times when the aforementioned occurrence can become too much for even the most seasoned of journalists to bear. That time finally came for me a few weeks ago, and if it wasn’t for an extraordinary event that occurred, I would have undoubtedly found myself consumed by apprehension.

It was the afternoon of Friday, May 2, and the weekend was just hours away, yet achieving some semblance of stillness was overwhelmed by the stress of writing and editing several news stories, not to mention posting subsequent web updates, preparing promotional material for upcoming commemorative specials and the especially-daunting task of editing some 600 photos for our annual graduation magazine – all of which are responsibilities that loomed in the inner recesses of my psyche. In addition, the disdain that those with influence have directed toward yours truly was terribly vexing.

Granted, this all comes with the territory in my line of work, but to grow immune to these happenings is an indication of indifference. And people in my position, keep in mind, should never be indifferent to any aspect of their industry.

But I digress.

Just when I began to collect my thoughts and focus on the tasks at hand, I received a telephone call from someone who was unpleased – to say the least – with a column I planned to publish that weekend. What followed was an hour-long debate that I would otherwise consider ill-advised to engage in due to my current predicament (getting the newspaper to press takes precedence). So there I was – locked into this epic war of words with a person whose ability to reason was quickly diminishing. Meanwhile, the strain I described earlier began to take its toll.

The mounting worry was such that I questioned whether I was the right person for this job – an insecurity that has remained with me since my first day at this proud publication. On the afternoon in question, however, that familiar feeling of self-doubt was amplified and manifested serious contemplation of moving on from print journalism. I’ve never felt that way before nor have I since, but fear has a way of clouding your judgment.

Upon ending the phone call, I played a recording of the dialogue for some of my coworkers in the newsroom. As we listened to the exchange while simultaneously working on putting the paper to bed, an odd noise heard about 55 minutes into the conversation startled the crew. To be specific, a disembodied voice quite loudly, though in a whisper, called my name. It said, “Michael, I’m here.”

Astonished by what was heard, those of us who repeatedly listened to the recording have considered all sorts of logical explanations. Still, I’d by lying if I said I didn’t initially find the situation a little creepy.

It wasn’t until I shared the story with a good friend of mine that I came to the following conclusion: Simply put, someone wanted me to know that they were with me. And it was at this moment of revelation when all that heavily weighed upon me was lifted, and clarity was achieved. I am the right person for this job, and no matter how vexed I may feel I know that someone is always with me to share the burden.

During this Memorial Day weekend, I encourage you to express your appreciation for those who sacrificed all to ensure our way of life. Their burden is greater than what many of us can ever imagine, but let’s share it with them and be their voice of virtue; do for them what that someone did for me. Let them know you’re there.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2014/05/23/consider-this-the-disembodied-voice-of-virtue/

4 comments

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    • M.L. Garcia on May 29, 2014 at 11:55 am
    • Reply

    Michael…keep writing…you’re the best!

    • Colleen on May 26, 2014 at 6:57 pm
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    I liked this story and believe in it. Yes you are the right person for this job. While I haven’t always agreed with you I have respected you. Keep doing a good job.

    • Bad Dog on May 23, 2014 at 5:34 pm
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    Just keep it real…..

    • Dallas Ray on May 23, 2014 at 3:20 pm
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    Awesome! Post that clip so we can hear 😉

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