Tuesday, August 4, 2009

In Motion


I'm dancing as fast as I can on the employment trail ballroom.

But, first we need to change the word unemployed as it carries such a deeply negative stigma you might as well put a sign on your forehead, "keep back 200 feet."

Some suggested new names to replace unemployed are: Pre-Employed, In Motion, Used Worker, Just Waiting, Employment Challanged or just plain Looking.

I like In Motion as it sounds fluid, flexible and spiritual.

The day in the life of an In Motion person can be challenging for sure. That's why we need to be In Motion all the time like a shark who languishes if not continually moving, filling his gills with oxygen.

Being In Motion keeps your body, spirit and mind active. But more importantly it keeps your friends, relatives and neighbors from thinking of you as a worthless lazy bump on a log.
Perception is everything.

Being In Motion is essential since the title unemployed is like having cancer except people don't visit or call to ask how you're doing because they already know and are afraid they might catch it. Heaven forbid.

Typical In Motion day: Wake up early and go to the nearest coffee shop. Enjoy your morning brew and blueberry scone while reading the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and local rags to keep abreast of the outside world and offer intelligent conversations during rare social events and less frequent job interviews. "Oh, yes. The recession has bottomed out. Or, maybe not. What do you think Ms. Smith?"

Now find a fast computer with an interenet connection and go through the usual 183 fields in each on-line job application for which you may or may not be qualified.

Although its rare to receive a reply from the private sector, at least I look forward the government job replies which are concise, explanatory and direct. Funny, if I feel depressed I just read one of the job rejections and feel good that at least someone has written to me. Thank you Uncle Sam. Nowadays you're the only who writes.

Every day is a learning day. Always learn something new with continuing education. Get online again after you've wiped your tears away and learn to type , calculate or be a better grammarian. Better yet, a better human being.

If you're out and about find a clean quiet spot indoors or out and take a meditative moment to rejuvenate your soul. Wash away those nagging thoughts and take a breather. If you have a book, read a chapter or two and take nap if you can without being perceived as a homeless person.

Go home, clean up, change and attend that evening book signing event you read about this morning in the newspaper. You'll probably see the same old tired faces there, including your own, but may enjoy the time and meet some new people. Remember, if anyone asks you what you do, you're In Motion. After they give you that quizzical squint they'll probably have the good manners to leave it alone. If not, repeat I'm In Motion. Then add, I spend the day on the internet as an online form field writer. No lies please.

As the evening dwindles early, head on home, make some spaghetti, have some wine, turn on the boob tube and check your email. Or, why bother and go to sleep wondering what the next day will bring. As if you don't know.

In Motion.

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