Tag Archives: employment

Somebody Give Me a Job. A Good Job. Please.

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I went job hunting last Thursday and Friday. Usually I only manage to go out once a week, if at that, but I always check online everywhere: Craigslist, classified ads/Monster, county, court, company website… that list goes on and on.

I was taken aback last week when I found not one, not two, but three advertised job openings. Around here, nobody advertises because there’s so many people looking for work that their office would get inundated. Our unemployment level is one of the highest in the nation. So seeing three jobs advertised for applications, that says a lot. That tells me that the economy is getting better. That people aren’t afraid of putting money into ads or time into interviews.

The really exciting turn of events came when I applied for an office position at one of the local hospitals. Turns out I’m qualified for three, possibly four, positions that are currently open! How exciting is that?! And when I asked for other leads, they referred me to the employment service they sometimes use.

So I went to the staffing agency and dropped a resume there as well. Guess what: they loved my resume and will contact me this coming week. Looks like they might have an opportunity or two for me.

That makes me happy. I rediscovered that I actually having a day-work routine. I like getting up, in the shower, and dressed up before I drive Dot to school, instead of just tumbling into jeans and a sweatshirt. I like wearing nice clothes and meeting people and just getting out.

Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty at home to keep me busy. But I also have distractions. I’m looking forward to a paycheck while waiting for New Inklings Press to start paying off.

In the meantime, I’m still doing menu planning which is really turning into a fun thing. I’m working on freelance projects as well as the next book for my company. I’m taking care of those once-a-year cleaning matters. And I love having extra time with Dot.

I know there’s been a reason for me to be unemployed this long; and I really believe it was so I could get all my ducks in a row with regards to my writing career: what to write, how to write, how to schedule, set up my tiny office-in-a-box, and start my company.

But now that those are done, I’ve no doubt that God will now provide the income we so desperately need. And how amazing is it that after eight months of no offers whatsoever, there are six or more opportunities in the last three days. That says it all.

In the words of my favorite Pastor, “It’s time to work.” And I wholeheartedly agree.

Colossians 3:23, 24 [NIV] “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

At Least I Tried…

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You know that still, small voice we all have in our heads?

Yeah. Notsomuch.

Mine decided to shout at me over the last 36 hours.

And I’m so glad it did.

Once or twice a week, I get together for an early morning Starbuck’s with my VIP Julie. We talk about our kids, her husband, my writing, life, God, coffee, cooking, the weather… we talk and talk and talk and when we’re done… well, we’re never done. So we get together often. At least we try.

Last week we each cancelled so Monday was going to be our first Girl Talk Time in two weeks. You know we were chompin’ at the bit to meet up with over 300 hours of what I like to call “shtuff” to talk about. We usually have less than an hour and that wasn’t enough so we set another meet up for yesterday.

But when yesterday came, my heart wasn’t in it. I really just wanted to cancel. But then I’d miss hearing how this story ended or that one began and all the in-betweens. So I sent her a text. We have it down to a science. One sends “Starbucks?” and the other replies either “Yup” or “Can’t”. We save the rest for the face-to-face chat. Yesterday, I initiated. And to my surprise and relief, her response was the negative. She forgot she had another appointment, so we rescheduled.

I was relieved. Because I really was tired. And had errands to do. So this worked out fine for me. And I didn’t feel let down. The fact that I made the effort even when I didn’t really want to, made me feel better. I heard that still, small voice get louder. I heard it cheerfully say, “At least you tried!”

Today I had grand plans to leave resumes all over town. Due to a minor comedy of errors my schedule went kablooey (technical term, that is!) and I was only able to drop one.

There it was again. “At least you tried!” I felt good about my efforts. Even if it doesn’t show. Even if I’m still unemployed. Even if potential employers aren’t looking at my resume this evening. At least I tried. And in that, I find satisfaction and completion. I can’t make anyone hire me. But at least I can get noticed.

It’s the same thing with my writing. I may not be a Nobel prize winning poet. I’m okay with that. Maybe my books won’t sell in the millions and buy me a mansion. While that would be okay with me, it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t happen. It’s not the end.

And that’s when it hit me. It’s not so much crossing the finish line that defines a person. It’s how we get there that counts. I have a brand new understanding of being told that adage as a kid, “It’s not whether you win or lose. It’s how you play the game.” I never truly got that before. But now I do.

And I’m determined to play hard and authentic and genuinely. I’m determined to play the game.

Because the end result just means there’s a new goal. It never really means the end. So why not make the most out of getting there? I can’t even start the race if I don’t get out of bed. So I have to at least try.

I’ll never be published if I don’t write the book.
I’ll never find a day job if I don’t go out and look.
… well, I didn’t mean for that to rhyme, but as long as I’m at it, here’s a new one.
I’ll call it Journey:

If I fail, I learn from mistakes.
If I win, the glories I’ll take.
Step One is to plan.
Step Two is to try.

Okay, seriously. I can’t seem to focus enough to finish this great little inspirational poem right now. But you know what’s going through my head?

No joke.

You got it.

At least I tried.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!