Today's it's a cliche to say: Be Careful What You Pray For; in fact (in the movies at least) you can see God Himself explaining the concept.
But 150 years ago, one of this nation's greatest writers formulated a similar thought with far more care and thoughtfulness. Wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson (in The Conduct of Life):
It's not just that God is listening and granting prayers; it's that what we want most sincerely we bring about, consciously or unconsciously. (Written before the concept of the unconscious, one must add.)
Along those lines, for yours truly, this year has been shockingly gratifying. A long hoped-for career in journalism has come about…much to my own amazement. (Not a lot of money, but what else is new in journalism.) It's almost enough to make me believe…if not in God, than in myself.
Anyhow, for the curious, here (link) is my first story for a real honest-to-God newspaper, the Ventura County Star…and thanks for your patience. Here's Ralph, still wise after all these years…
Kit Stolz 
I myself found Emerson to be the king of blowhards but even when he makes my eyes roll audibly I find there’s something interesting a few paragraphs later.
He also reminds me of Rocky Todd, from the Wodehouse story.
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this is all wonderful, but since when is your name Chris Stolz???!!!
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I get tired of the space that widens briefly in conversations with strangers when the name Kit first comes up, especially on the phone. (Which is where I do most of my reporting.) It’s not a huge obstacle, but it’s irritating.
In a work setting I just don’t want to be conscious of my name, and I don’t want others to think about it — I just want to get to the subject at hand. Plus, having a slightly separate work identity means that anytime a call comes in for Chris, I know which hat to put on…
…but thanks for asking. My father had a much odder name, Preble, which handled with great good humor. I should be so wise…
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Wow…what an interesting project.
http://harvardclassicsproject.blogspot.com/
I’m going to read into it…still, although I know that Emerson can be irritating, he more than any other individual he is the source of what is American in our nation’s thought, sez me, and inspiring besides. Plus, he has the unique ability to see past his times, to the greatness of people like Whitman (whose career he helped launch) and Muir and Thoreau (likewise). On many issues he was so far ahead of his time that people simply ignored him, such as his forthright condemnation of the exile of the Cherokee nation from their homeland. Even today his blunt suggestion that poets and drug takers drink from the same well is politically incorrect, and yet seems obvious.
You gotta love Ralph.
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Gotta like the steelhead trout.
Good story Kit. More illuminating
than so much “coverage”.
Keep smiling!
Aug
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