Over a year ago, Lauren was anxious and stressing herself about which job offer she should take. I had my own thoughts on the matter but they were in a somewhat selfish direction. Rather than try and control the outcome I decided to pray about it. God told me that she needed to work in downtown Detroit, the absolute last place I wanted to be. Instead of listening to myself I decided to trust God.
Well, not two weeks after losing my job, I will be starting work next Monday for that same company. If Lauren hadn't been working there I wouldn't have even had the chance to apply. It isn't what I want to be doing long term, but it will give me some breathing room to figure out what the next steps are in my career path and life. Trust in God and he will provide.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
It's been awhile since I put anything up here. I'm still looking for work and I'm still confident that God has something in store for me and Lauren. I don't know yet what it is, but we'll figure it out.
I've decided my body is waging a war on me. My digestive tract is nothing short of cantankerous lately and I feel tired and lethargic almost all the time. Nothing seems to address the problems and I'm left to conclude that I am under more stress than I would like to admit. Not that I'm surprised by my own actions or admissions. I have a habit of ignoring things that simply get in the way of being productive. I guess I'll simply have to pick myself up and move on.
As an economic side note, even if the economic plan proposed by the President and his advisers (which to me seems fundamentally flawed but that isn't the point) does work to some extent, I don't see a return to the economy we once enjoyed. The reason is two-fold. First, I believe that the economic events of the last 6 months will serve as a stern wake-up call for the business world. I suspect companies will remember the toppling of the auto and banking industries for a long time and as such be much more conservative.
Also, the "government is the answer" mentality that seems to have taken hold like a cancer in this country will ultimately be our downfall. As our democratic system and personal liberties move closer and closer to Communist Russia or China we will lose the rugged individualism and willingness to take risks that catapulted this nation to the forefront of the world. It makes me sad to hear people say that the government will take care of them. It may be true, you might not starve to death but the government will never provide the quality of life we all want.
Sorry for the rant. I guess I feel like the era of personal responsibility is left to those of us who aren't afraid of working hard and are willing to accept the inherent risks that come with life.
Well, I guess it's time for me to find something to do to keep food on my plate and the lights on.
I've decided my body is waging a war on me. My digestive tract is nothing short of cantankerous lately and I feel tired and lethargic almost all the time. Nothing seems to address the problems and I'm left to conclude that I am under more stress than I would like to admit. Not that I'm surprised by my own actions or admissions. I have a habit of ignoring things that simply get in the way of being productive. I guess I'll simply have to pick myself up and move on.
As an economic side note, even if the economic plan proposed by the President and his advisers (which to me seems fundamentally flawed but that isn't the point) does work to some extent, I don't see a return to the economy we once enjoyed. The reason is two-fold. First, I believe that the economic events of the last 6 months will serve as a stern wake-up call for the business world. I suspect companies will remember the toppling of the auto and banking industries for a long time and as such be much more conservative.
Also, the "government is the answer" mentality that seems to have taken hold like a cancer in this country will ultimately be our downfall. As our democratic system and personal liberties move closer and closer to Communist Russia or China we will lose the rugged individualism and willingness to take risks that catapulted this nation to the forefront of the world. It makes me sad to hear people say that the government will take care of them. It may be true, you might not starve to death but the government will never provide the quality of life we all want.
Sorry for the rant. I guess I feel like the era of personal responsibility is left to those of us who aren't afraid of working hard and are willing to accept the inherent risks that come with life.
Well, I guess it's time for me to find something to do to keep food on my plate and the lights on.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
God is good....
... all the time.
This morning I woke up feeling absolutely wretched. I don't know why but the past three days I've woken up with stomach cramps. As I was lying in bed trying not to lose my breakfast, I received a phone call with a couple job leads. That makes 4 different opportunities in 3 days of searching, not bad by any standard. Good thing my parents taught me to wake up early and write everything down.
This should be a good week. I get to meet my old supervisor and good friend Rachel Wussow for dinner in Midland tonight. Then I will spend the rest of the week with my parents. It will be good to spend some time with the family.
I'm convinced that the psychology of the "massive unemployment" here in Southeast Michigan is partially because people aren't willing to look too far beyond their own backyard for work. The work is there. It requires flexibility in type of work, pay grade, and location, but it is there. I'm fortunate in that I'm young, have an excellent education, and am not tied down by a fiscal concerns like a mortgage and kids. People may be jealous of me or angry because I don't understand their difficult situation. I am truly empathetic to those facing much larger obstacles than I am. There are a lot of people in rough situations in the job market. However, Charles Darwin was right when he said "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change. " The shorter version is "adapt or die."
That being said, I am continuing my daily prayer and contemplation in the mornings; I am putting God first, before the concerns of the day. I will be focusing my efforts in accordance with His will, not what appears to best to my limited vision. It's a bold and scary step. Along the way I keep reminding myself that God is good, all the time.
This morning I woke up feeling absolutely wretched. I don't know why but the past three days I've woken up with stomach cramps. As I was lying in bed trying not to lose my breakfast, I received a phone call with a couple job leads. That makes 4 different opportunities in 3 days of searching, not bad by any standard. Good thing my parents taught me to wake up early and write everything down.
This should be a good week. I get to meet my old supervisor and good friend Rachel Wussow for dinner in Midland tonight. Then I will spend the rest of the week with my parents. It will be good to spend some time with the family.
I'm convinced that the psychology of the "massive unemployment" here in Southeast Michigan is partially because people aren't willing to look too far beyond their own backyard for work. The work is there. It requires flexibility in type of work, pay grade, and location, but it is there. I'm fortunate in that I'm young, have an excellent education, and am not tied down by a fiscal concerns like a mortgage and kids. People may be jealous of me or angry because I don't understand their difficult situation. I am truly empathetic to those facing much larger obstacles than I am. There are a lot of people in rough situations in the job market. However, Charles Darwin was right when he said "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change. " The shorter version is "adapt or die."
That being said, I am continuing my daily prayer and contemplation in the mornings; I am putting God first, before the concerns of the day. I will be focusing my efforts in accordance with His will, not what appears to best to my limited vision. It's a bold and scary step. Along the way I keep reminding myself that God is good, all the time.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Starting Fresh
Well, today is the first day I'm free. To borrow some lyrics from Manafest and his song "Free" "I'm free to live, free to love, free to get up, free to get oout get up and move on." It took losing my job to realize that I wasn't trusting God to provide for my needs; I was leaning on myself.
When I woke up this morning it was the first time that I really realized what it means that life isn'tgoing to come to me, I have to get up and pursue it. So with a morning devotional and a cup of coffee, I started on what what will be a long road.
I find myself focused and energetic on a level I haven't felt in months while at work. Freedom is truly refreshing. So refreshing that it reminds me of a particular morning in the New Mexico high country.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Inconvienient
Well, where to start? The dayI decide to start a blog so my friends and family can keep up with what's going on in my life is the same day I lose my first job. Sometimes the timing of events is nothing short of uncanny.
So after working for 7 months for a fantastic employer, I'm on my own. While I view this as setback, I doubt it will be the end of things. Yes there are the concerns of basic necessities (food and shelter). Yes there serious concerns regarding the financing of my wedding. At the same time however, my work ethic, faith in God, and my awesome support network of fiance,family and friends are nothing short of fantastic. I'll get through this. It won't be easy and I know I'll need some help from God and the people around me, but I'll make it.
There is a reason my father never taught me what the word "quit" meant.
So after working for 7 months for a fantastic employer, I'm on my own. While I view this as setback, I doubt it will be the end of things. Yes there are the concerns of basic necessities (food and shelter). Yes there serious concerns regarding the financing of my wedding. At the same time however, my work ethic, faith in God, and my awesome support network of fiance,family and friends are nothing short of fantastic. I'll get through this. It won't be easy and I know I'll need some help from God and the people around me, but I'll make it.
There is a reason my father never taught me what the word "quit" meant.
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