March 25, 2009

the storm

peace

My life is a storm and today I'm struggling to find peace. I'm at that weird place where I'm overqualified and there are no jobs in my field at the moment. So I'm applying for jobs that are unwilling to hire me because they're afraid I'll move on as soon as I find more money. And the challenge is that I probably will. So would anyone.

After driving to Birmingham for three interviews - I lost out to the unknown candidate. And...I have no clue why. Where they younger? More qualified? Less qualified? What? And I know they can't tell me - that's a lawsuit waiting to happen. And I'm not writing this to solicit sympathy...I'm not. Actually the answer that I got from a friend that I liked the best was "those bastards." It made me laugh out loud.

So, how do you keep peace within yourself when panic mode is settling in? What do you do? And if this blog disappears....don't be surprised because I'm embarrassed even writing this but I'm having the struggle with "why" today.

27 comments:

  1. I'm here to just say "I get this post" hang in there:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. shit shit SHIT. i hate when that happens! i used to have to interview people for jobs, and it is such a battle to figure out who is "right" for a job. and i have been in your spot when angling for a job and just wishing i knew the exact thing to say that would make me (or in this case, YOU) get the job. a girl needs a paycheck! jesus. i wish i knew someone that could give you a great job, or a good job, or at least a decent job! shit shit SHIT!!!

    sadly i don't have the best coping skills to recommend. i usually go for tears, patron shots, and tears.

    ReplyDelete
  3. you didn't get that position because there is a better one just around the corner, I know it's there for you, wishing you the best

    ReplyDelete
  4. how about filling the "job search" time with working at a local school? Subs are always needed and various other positions. I did that three years ago and ended up there full time,... absolutely lovin' those high school kids after 30 years in business administration! go figure. Hang in there!

    ReplyDelete
  5. well, it's normal to go to the land of "whys"... i've just learned it's wise not to set up camp there for long. the 'why's will kill you...maybe slowly, but they and the 'what if's can wreak serious havoc on attitude, outlook, faith, self-worth...

    i have a friend who has been out of work for a year and a half, and the doors just opened to a wonderful and exciting job opportunity. (not to sound dismal about a long wait!) it was a hard time for her... she questioned, prayed, sought God, looked for jobs, applied, interviewed, prayed, cried, got discouraged but continued to trust in God's amazing care and providence for her...

    i will be praying for you--for a job, for a peaceful heart, for a sense of the Lord's presence in this down-time you're experiencing...

    ReplyDelete
  6. keep going Char...be kind to yourself...take good care of you and the right job is just around the corner...keep applying for jobs ....you can do this...hope you do not disappear...i would so miss your space her hugs from here ELK

    I even had my cheerleading pom poms out!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. See...you don't want to work for stupid douchebags. And anyone who wouldn't hire you is one of those. Keep at it Char. I just sent resume #100 on Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  8. don't delete, char!

    no, no, no!

    we need you - you're photos, your words.

    chin up, friend.

    ...I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail,
    Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail,
    Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn.
    "Come in," she said,
    "I'll give you shelter from the storm."

    Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
    With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair.
    She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns.
    "Come in," she said,
    "I'll give you shelter from the storm."...

    ReplyDelete
  9. you might not want to hear this, but having had to move so many times in my life, I believe that everything happens for a reason, even if you don't know the reasons why for years and years.....

    so for right now, you have to believe that that job wasn't the right one for you and that the universe was just protecting you from misery something that wasn't right for you !!

    seriously !!!

    so shoulders back....be proud of you no matter what, take a deep breath and believe in yourself and that there is something so much better waiting for YOU !!!

    and if that doesn't work....come on up for a visit and we'll take photos of old things and eat chocolate until you feel better !!

    ReplyDelete
  10. cassi - you quoted my favorite dylan song.

    you all are so very sweet. and I sent off tons of resumes today. I'm still swingin'

    ReplyDelete
  11. I agree with everyone here in that: if they couldn't recognize your gifts and talents, then that's a company you don't want to work for anyway; that there's something better out there for you, which is why this job didn't work out; and please please don't delete your blog because we would miss you very much.

    Unless you decided to move to San Francisco and then I wouldn't need the blog to see how you are doing. I could just see you.

    Stay strong, my dear. You're too good for the ones who don't appreciate you and the ones that do are certainly looking for you. You'll find each other.

    ps. I always go for Cherry Garcia ice cream because I won't wake up with a headache in the morning.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It would be upsetting to see this blog disappear but if that's something you feel you need to do, I'll try to understand.

    And yeah. Those stupid bastards.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I guess I should have said "blog entry"....sorry guys

    I don't know what I would do without having a release valve that is my blog. I obviously need to proof my work better.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sorry 'bout that. I have a great big stack of rejection letters that I've kept over the years. Well, had. A couple of weeks ago I shredded 'em. Felt good.

    I had a big soliloquy of advice, but when I read it back it sounded so indifferent, and I don't want to sound that way. There's not much I can say but hang in there, you'll get it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is okay they do not hire me because my husband is a trooper and I will be moving in a couple of years. By the time I leave they will have went through at least two people I am sure, well that is what I tell myself.

    Hang in there. I am going to echo your wise friend, those bastards!

    ReplyDelete
  16. i feel sure the right job is out there and i think it's fine, good in fact, that you express these feelings. any of us would feel the same.

    ReplyDelete
  17. i can relate... i'm lacking one key qualification for any job that i might actually enjoy and be well suited to (aka am qualified for..) and that is work experience in the US. i've got YEARS of it elsewhere, but for some reason that doesn't seem to count.

    so i'm applying for jobs that i am totally over qualified for in the hopes that it might compensate for not having US experience... but no one wants to hire me for the same reasons you described.

    we'll get there, Char... i'm sure of it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I wanted to have some elaborate
    words of wisdom and inspiration
    for you, but words fail me at the
    moment. What I will say is this,
    your talents, your personality,
    and your experience will help
    bring you to the right place.
    Hang in there. You've got a large
    community of folks out here
    ready and willing to be your
    cheerleaders. It will all come
    together. It will.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hey, Char! Thanks for the love on my blog <3 Give yourself the love and patience you give everyone else!
    You are doing everything in your power to get to the land of employment. That is all you can ask of yourself. Soon the universe will catch up and give you due rewards.
    "When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. "
    ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe

    ReplyDelete
  20. char, don't give up, love...this is just a temporary situation. you're so talented. i'm sending you many good thoughts....
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is the time to put on your favourite happy song, and sing and dance like you're Tina Turner playing to a packed stadium of adoring fans.
    Then chocolate.

    Trust me, it does wonders.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I had a hard time getting hired as well... over qualified... will leave when something better comes along... and eventually it did... I found job via Craigslist... and I literally had to talk them into hiring... thank gawd they listened!
    Hang in there!
    When will the Etsy shop be up?
    Another thought... allow advertisers on your blog... additional income!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ah, glad you clarified that about the "blog entry" or 'post'.

    I've been tere, in similar situations - no need to feel embarrassed. I once argued vehemently with a future boss after being told I likely wouldn't be hired because "how could you live on this pay?". I told him he had no right to decide what I could or could not live on. He finally agreed and I got the job. If you love your work and are getting paid enough (whatever that may be for you) then that is worth more than getting lots of money and not being happy.

    (Sorry about the lecture. Meant in good faith to be helpful in a smal way)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Pray. Just pray.

    That's what I do when I need peace. When I feel joy. All the time really.

    ReplyDelete
  25. It took me almost two months to find a job when I moved from FL to NC. And of all things, I found a temp job that was only supposed to last for 2 days until another girl came back, but they like me so much, they kept me. And, I'm still here!!

    Something will come. I know you're going to want to stab me for staying this but, hang in there.

    ReplyDelete
  26. It seems to me you've answered your own question, wise one. It is all about finding peace amidst the chaos. It is our choice (your choice) to find a pocket of peace. Breathe, connect with nature, stretch, get behind your camera. Doing anything that helps you settle down, settle in to your truest self--that woman who is innately peaceful no matter what is happening in the greater world. She is still in there calmly waiting beneath the chaos.

    I do hope employment finds you. So many are struggling these days. Patience and compassion for self in difficult times...a great formula.

    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm sorry, Char. You are in my prayers. Your photography is such an inspiration, as well as your blog. There is something very special for you out there. Something perfect for the very unique person that you are. I know that sounds cliche, but I truly mean that—you are unique. Not just any job will do for you.

    Too bad we don't live closer. We could start our own business.

    This photo is one of my favorites from you, by the way.

    ReplyDelete

i feel as if each comment was between us as we sat and sipped something warm....i love to hear what you're thinking.