I think the only positive use of that word is if I were speaking of the circumference of the waist of my jeans. Regretfully, I use the word in the most common term, of being without gainful employment.
The actual date I was notified of my new experience in life was February 24th. Since that time, my official last day has been post-poned on a couple of occasions due to pursuit of various internal positions within my company. To explain, the downsizing was the decision of the account I was dedicated to, not the company that actually writes my paycheck. However, today I am in the middle of a self-imposed week of paid vacation. This was done to pro-long my “life” in the corporate system of my employer, in case any of the other internal opportunities panned out in the next few days, which I doubt is going to happen. The other benefit was to extend health benefits for my family through the end of April.
My little professional career security blank was ripped off like a table cloth at a magic show. Painfully, dishes, utensils and centerpiece didn’t remain unphased. This has been quite the blow. I had a lead that felt pretty solid with a great company, and I think would have been a tremendous opportunity. I felt really good about the interview and thought I’d be chosen for the position. However, that was not to be the case either. I’m sure there’s going to be a lesson learned in all of this that I can’t see right now, the only thing I know I’ve already learned is that there is no job-security.
So, I’m pounding the web at every career site I can think of and updating my resume. One of the hurdles I’m experiencing is taking what was a solid-experience history in the travel industry and regurgitating it as the skills that were developed during that time and translate them into opportunities in other industries. Just need someone to give me a chance. The other hurdle? I’ve been blessed to have made good enough money since getting married to allow my wife to raise the kids instead of “the village” that everyone speaks of, doesn’t everyone know every village has at least one idiot?
May God bless my efforts and keep me calm through the storm. I know He can provide and does, sometimes it’s just hard applying that knowledge in a way that disperses the worry and anxiety of the current situation.
Chris says
This certainly is a huge blow! Not to mention how much it blows! I would recommend Starbucks, but the hourly pay is not that great. The "perks" are quite good though. We'll be praying that God opens a door for you but just be encouraged because (as we've recently found) sometimes the trials we go through are the cocoon we must experience for Him to transform us and change our lives in a way that is ultimately quite exhilarating. However, the process in and of itself is certainly NOT exhilarating. May God's peace be yours for you and yours! –Chris
Chris says
This certainly is a huge blow! Not to mention how much it blows! I would recommend Starbucks, but the hourly pay is not that great. The “perks” are quite good though. We’ll be praying that God opens a door for you but just be encouraged because (as we’ve recently found) sometimes the trials we go through are the cocoon we must experience for Him to transform us and change our lives in a way that is ultimately quite exhilarating. However, the process in and of itself is certainly NOT exhilarating. May God’s peace be yours for you and yours! –Chris