Never give up; you never know until you try.
As you know if you've read or even scanned my blog any time in recent months, I'm looking for a job. It's a disheartening, confusing, demeaning process that can make the strongest of us resort to thumb-sucking, sobbing, tantrum-throwing, and quitting altogether.
I own up to at least one of the above, but I refuse to give up. God didn't put me here and equip me with the abilities that I have for me to crawl in a hole somewhere. I know that someone, somewhere, will appreciate and use my abilities and not just stick me somewhere doing a job that I can do in my sleep, for pay that wouldn't support the average tween. I just have to keep looking.
I was going over my agenda for the week, having spent (wasted) several hours in fruitless job-searching activities, when I checked out "Lumosity," which I'd seen on television. As I figured, it is in part a fee-based program, but there are free games, as well. I don't know about the claims of "train your brain," but it did offer a few-minute respite from my negative-thinking spiral. Check it out!
http://www.lumosity.com/
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Confusion
Never give up; you never know until you try.
We've all been there--so confused that if someone were to ask our name, we would have to think a minute before giving it. I've seen it in my students, and I've felt it myself when faced with a multi-faceted problem that seemed to defy all attempts to solve it. We all hate that feeling. We like being in control or at least having the illusion of control.
What I frequently tell my students and remind myself is that eventually the confusion clears and understanding comes if we stay with something long enough. I think it often means leaving the "problem" alone for a while and focusing on something else. It's hard to "get" the answer when we're churning like a boiling pot. Focusing on something else allows our previous lessons learned to come to the surface and help us with the situation at hand. Then, while we're cleaning the house, or working on vocabulary lessons, or just sitting quietly, resting our minds, we "suddenly" understand the steps to solving the math problem, or what to do about our unruly child, or where to search for a job.
As a friend in human resources development said to me recently, the key is persistence.
We've all been there--so confused that if someone were to ask our name, we would have to think a minute before giving it. I've seen it in my students, and I've felt it myself when faced with a multi-faceted problem that seemed to defy all attempts to solve it. We all hate that feeling. We like being in control or at least having the illusion of control.
What I frequently tell my students and remind myself is that eventually the confusion clears and understanding comes if we stay with something long enough. I think it often means leaving the "problem" alone for a while and focusing on something else. It's hard to "get" the answer when we're churning like a boiling pot. Focusing on something else allows our previous lessons learned to come to the surface and help us with the situation at hand. Then, while we're cleaning the house, or working on vocabulary lessons, or just sitting quietly, resting our minds, we "suddenly" understand the steps to solving the math problem, or what to do about our unruly child, or where to search for a job.
As a friend in human resources development said to me recently, the key is persistence.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
You Gotta Love Words!
Never give up; you never know until you try.
I've said it before, and I'm saying it again: I love words! Words are my "thing!" One obscure or under-used word leads me to another, as well as to double-checking the definitions, which leads me to another word, and another . . . Please; somebody stop me!
I sent someone an e-mail recently that was so long that I self-deprecatingly noted that it was like reading "War & Peace." Then I observed that commenting on the length and thoroughness could be construed as an example of my sardonic wit. You can guess what I did next. Yep--I checked the dictionary for the definition of "sardonic," discovering that it has a decidedly more negative connotation than I meant, but I went with it, anyway.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sardonic?s=t
I noticed the word origin notation, which said that the word is an alteration of one that refers to a plant that, when eaten, causes convulsive laughter and death. My juices were really going by this point, so I googled "kill with laughter," and I ran across some interesting results. Try it! You might have as much fun as I did! Or not. You might have a less twisted, dark sense of humor than I do.
I've said it before, and I'm saying it again: I love words! Words are my "thing!" One obscure or under-used word leads me to another, as well as to double-checking the definitions, which leads me to another word, and another . . . Please; somebody stop me!
I sent someone an e-mail recently that was so long that I self-deprecatingly noted that it was like reading "War & Peace." Then I observed that commenting on the length and thoroughness could be construed as an example of my sardonic wit. You can guess what I did next. Yep--I checked the dictionary for the definition of "sardonic," discovering that it has a decidedly more negative connotation than I meant, but I went with it, anyway.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sardonic?s=t
I noticed the word origin notation, which said that the word is an alteration of one that refers to a plant that, when eaten, causes convulsive laughter and death. My juices were really going by this point, so I googled "kill with laughter," and I ran across some interesting results. Try it! You might have as much fun as I did! Or not. You might have a less twisted, dark sense of humor than I do.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Fame At Any Cost
Never give up; you never know until you try.
I recently caught part of an episode of the game show "Family Feud" that started me to thinking about fame & fortune. The question called for the contestants to name a celebrity they were completely tired of hearing about and who they wish would just go away. The answers included people famous for being famous and those whose most recent activities have made them infamous for being in legal trouble due to substance abuse.
I've observed before that it seems all a person has to do to be rich, famous, or both in today's world is to have a complete lack of self-respect--to consistently do outlandish (illegal, immoral, or both) things & be sure that it's reported to as many people as possible.
I hope I'm never so starved for attention that I resort to getting it in such a negative, self-destructive way. I hope I'm never referred to as someone who people wish would just go away. . . unless they wish I'd go away because God is using me to try to turn their attention toward Him, but that's another post for another day.
I recently caught part of an episode of the game show "Family Feud" that started me to thinking about fame & fortune. The question called for the contestants to name a celebrity they were completely tired of hearing about and who they wish would just go away. The answers included people famous for being famous and those whose most recent activities have made them infamous for being in legal trouble due to substance abuse.
I've observed before that it seems all a person has to do to be rich, famous, or both in today's world is to have a complete lack of self-respect--to consistently do outlandish (illegal, immoral, or both) things & be sure that it's reported to as many people as possible.
I hope I'm never so starved for attention that I resort to getting it in such a negative, self-destructive way. I hope I'm never referred to as someone who people wish would just go away. . . unless they wish I'd go away because God is using me to try to turn their attention toward Him, but that's another post for another day.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
What Do You Think?
Never give up; you never know until you try.
I read a book recently that addressed the introvert/extrovert topic and found myself feeling completely vindicated. I've often felt that the world seems geared toward extroverts and paints introverts as backward, weird, even lazy. I've felt that American society, in particular, coerces introverts into going against their (our) true nature.
The book, "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," by former corporate lawyer Susan Cain, argues that introverts are unfairly maligned, and I agree.
Check out the article, and give the book a try. If you're an extrovert, maybe you'll understand us introverts a little better. If you're an introvert, you might just find yourself feeling a little vindicated, as I did.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/how-an-introvert-can-be-happier--act-like-an-extrovert--175713001.html
I read a book recently that addressed the introvert/extrovert topic and found myself feeling completely vindicated. I've often felt that the world seems geared toward extroverts and paints introverts as backward, weird, even lazy. I've felt that American society, in particular, coerces introverts into going against their (our) true nature.
The book, "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," by former corporate lawyer Susan Cain, argues that introverts are unfairly maligned, and I agree.
Check out the article, and give the book a try. If you're an extrovert, maybe you'll understand us introverts a little better. If you're an introvert, you might just find yourself feeling a little vindicated, as I did.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/how-an-introvert-can-be-happier--act-like-an-extrovert--175713001.html
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Redemption
Never give up; you never know until you try.
This past weekend, my church family and I spent many happy hours celebrating our centennial. We ate, drank (tea, lemonade, soft drinks,) played games, sang, and thanked God for allowing us to be a family and for using us for His glory.
We felt some sadness amidst the revelry as we remembered those who aren't with us now, and we looked hopefully forward to what lies ahead for us in this world and the next.
I felt a special warmth Sunday as I realized the date, somewhat marred in my mind by a personal tragedy many years ago, has now been redeemed by an historic celebration that will stay forever in my heart and mind. A memory of death and fear has been overshadowed by a memory of life and love. Don't get me wrong; God has comforted me and brought healing since that tragic day so long ago, but as the anniversary has rolled around each year, the events that transpired that day have flitted across my mind. Next year, as mid-July approaches, I'll be transported back to this year and the memory of smiles, hugs, laughter, and redemption.
This past weekend, my church family and I spent many happy hours celebrating our centennial. We ate, drank (tea, lemonade, soft drinks,) played games, sang, and thanked God for allowing us to be a family and for using us for His glory.
We felt some sadness amidst the revelry as we remembered those who aren't with us now, and we looked hopefully forward to what lies ahead for us in this world and the next.
I felt a special warmth Sunday as I realized the date, somewhat marred in my mind by a personal tragedy many years ago, has now been redeemed by an historic celebration that will stay forever in my heart and mind. A memory of death and fear has been overshadowed by a memory of life and love. Don't get me wrong; God has comforted me and brought healing since that tragic day so long ago, but as the anniversary has rolled around each year, the events that transpired that day have flitted across my mind. Next year, as mid-July approaches, I'll be transported back to this year and the memory of smiles, hugs, laughter, and redemption.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Dependence Day
Never give up; you never know until you try.
No, that's not a typo in the title. Americans celebrate Independence Day this July 4, but I'm extra mindful this year of how dependent I am on God.
We humans like to think we're in control, and we try to be in control, but it's an illusion. Sometimes when we whine like children, God lets us have our way to show us that His way really is best. We have the illusion of control, but we're only getting our way because God allows it. Then, when we make a mess of things, we cry to Him to help us. Oh, how patient He is!
This Independence Day, I'm trying to be less whiny and more trusting, and celebrate my dependence on God.
No, that's not a typo in the title. Americans celebrate Independence Day this July 4, but I'm extra mindful this year of how dependent I am on God.
We humans like to think we're in control, and we try to be in control, but it's an illusion. Sometimes when we whine like children, God lets us have our way to show us that His way really is best. We have the illusion of control, but we're only getting our way because God allows it. Then, when we make a mess of things, we cry to Him to help us. Oh, how patient He is!
This Independence Day, I'm trying to be less whiny and more trusting, and celebrate my dependence on God.
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