Today marks a year that I’ve been unemployed. If you had told me last January 29th as I left my office for the last time that I’d be sans employment on the following January 29th, I would have laughed and bought you another beer. I never imagined that a year could pass and I’d still be looking for work.
As it has been for far too many Americans, it’s been a tough time in many respects. I worry about money, though thankfully I’m OK financially for the time being. I worry about becoming irrelevant, though I’m not really sure what that means. I worry about the future, but when I get too far down that road I remember that I can only control the present. It would be far too easy to become stressed out, and there have been times I’ve headed in that direction. Still, I know that allowing myself to do that won’t change anything. And I know that there are many people in far worse situations than my own. Yes, things could be a whole lot worse, and I’m trying to enjoy life rather than worry about. Easy to say, less easy to do, of course, but staying positive seems a far better and healthier alternative.
I have no idea what the future holds, but the present (outside of being unemployed) doesn’t look all that bad. And so I endeavor to remain optimistic, because without that optimism I’d have nothing of value. Things will work out. When, where, and how remain to be realized…but I’m excited to find out what’s written in the next chapter.
Now, if you’ll excuse me…I have lottery tickets to check…. ;-)
