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Three years ago when I got a new job at CASA of Arizona and made the announcement that I was leaving the Ahwatukee Foothills News after six years of writing, my editor made a quick decision to hire our intern to take over my position. He was a smart kid and seemed like he could have potential as a writer. I was looking forward to leaving the paper but I was excited to have one week to work side-by-side with my replacement and impart all the knowledge I had gained about the community.

I thought it was such a blessing, for the paper and the community as a whole, that no information would be lost. I could warn him which sources were difficult to work with and which ones were more open than you might think. I was excited to pass along all my contacts and explain their significance to the community.

As we started working together I got excited every time he asked a question about a certain story. I'd get ready to launch into the story, from the beginning, and drop names hat might be of value to him. But, each time I started he would stop me and say "OK, what's happening today?"

I was frustrated. This kid didn't understand! I had so much knowledge to pass on to him. I had so much experience I could tell him about. His stories would be so much more indepth with my input.

I realize now, looking back, that he probably wanted to try to remain unbiased and bring in an outsiders perspective. He probably was overwhelmed by the big picture and wanted to report what was happening in the moment--the way most readers probably saw it. He wanted to learn for himself.

I'm sitting here doing the same for a new job and it has occurred to me the basic lesson still applies. No matter how good my intentions, I cannot force someone to accept all my knowledge. My experience may be valuable, I may have learned a lot of great lessons, but I can't pass everything I've learned on to my replacement. They must learn for themselves. If they don't, who knows what they may miss?

It's the same with life. I have a lot of life experience I would love to pass on to someone, but it doesn't work that way. Everyone has to learn in their own way.

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