Along the Road
Back in 1980, a very long time ago, I graduated from the fine institution called the University of Michigan, finished a third and final summer as a historical interpreter on Mackinac Island and then pondered what to make of my life.
I didn’t have a clue.
Finally, in the spirit of exiting my parents’ house as quickly as possible (no offense to them), I started typing up (yes typing as in typewriter) cover letters applying for jobs as a newspaper reporter. I knew I could write, and several members of the family had enjoyed jobs in journalism. After countless rejections, I was lucky to receive an offer from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette, about as far north as you can go in the fine state of Michigan.
I courageously journeyed the nearly 10 hours to Houghton, found a furnished apartment (though lacking a bathroom at the beginning) and wondered what to make of this amazing entity called Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Thus began my first career.
After months of serious struggle to figure out this thing called journalism (my father called the job my graduate work), I was awarded a weekly column, which I named “Along the Road.” I liked the idea that I was on a life journey, not to mention able to write about whatever I came across, along the road. When it was time to depart for another job at a newspaper in Illinois, I announced it by saying it was time to move along the road.
I did it again and again.
My career adventures took me from newspapers to General Motors, where I held numerous jobs in communications and organizational development over the span of 19 years. I got a master’s in counseling in my spare time. Then I had the audacious idea to start my own business, which I called C-Link, for the many “C” words that I would tackle: Coaching, counseling, creativity, communications, change management. For 18 years, I transformed my work on a regular basis, honing in on work I loved to do.
Last year, I decided it was once again time to move along down the road. I closed down C-Link, holding all of those “C” words in a last embrace. For a “W” word had been stealthily entering my consciousness for a very long time, and that was writing. In each career, regardless of what I was officially assigned to do, I wrote: news releases, internal newsletters, speeches, annual reports, articles — the list is endless. Most writers hold a life-long goal to write a novel, and while it took an entire decade, I was able to self-publish “William Bell: A Novel” in 2019. William is one of the most fascinating humans I’ve ever met — or created, I suppose.
I became a regular contributor to a newsletter published by the Anglers of the Au Sable, a group of anglers who fiercely support our beloved Au Sable River, where I spend as much time as possible. I loved dabbling in the writing, which is where I can truly lose hours at a time in pure bliss. And that, my friends, is a true gift — time in pure bliss.
So betsyhemming, LLC has been born, and my new title is author and coach. I will focus on writing and equine coaching — another unexpected career adventure in recent years. I’ll spend more time in northern woods and dream up more ghost stories. I will make sure I have plenty of time for my love of gardening, for my yoga practice and certainly with my beloved family — all of which comprehend my personal definition of pure bliss.
I’ve moved down the road once again — the fifth major career move for someone who just likes to keep moving.
For more on me, visit http://www.betsyhemming.com. For more on seeking bliss, here is a great article: https://medium.com/change-your-mind/3-joseph-campbell-quotes-about-living-life-d66400f009da.
