Jobless But Not Hopeless

So.... I was asked to speak at a job fair on yesterday. I was there to give job seekers some words of hope & inspiration as they wade through the daunting employment process. The title of my presentation was, Jobless But Not Hopeless.

I had never spoken at a job fair, but I must admit it was a very rewarding experience! I talked to so many people who "all of a sudden" found themselves without a job. (Many after years of service.) As a result they found themselves back out on the job market.

We all hear that the unemployment rate is 8.5 and rising, but when you see the faces of those affected by it and hear their stories, it really hits home. Those numbers turn into actual people. People like you and me who have families. They are mothers, fathers, and grandparents trying to provide food, clothes & shelter to their little ones.
I left there feeling very grateful with a better appreciation for my own life and life circumstances. Honestly, I felt like I really had no right to complain about anything.

True, it is human nature to complain about our lives, the things that we don't have, the cards we have been dealt, and the way we have played our cards. (I am guilty of this on some days). But when we really stop to think about it, we should dare not complain. In reality when we look around, things could truly be worse. And there is always someone who would trade places with you in a heartbeat.

So, regardless of your life situation, count your blessings, be thankful, and know that things could be worse and that soon they WILL get better.

Finally, to those of you job hunting keep a positive perspective and don't give up. You may be jobless but I challenge you not to find yourself hopeless.

And That's All I have To Say...