I hate my life. I hate my life. I hate my life. That’s the chant I heard her saying as I approached her. Why would anyone say that? Such negative thought.
She had lost her husband. Her job. Her house. Her children. Her sense of independence. She felt she had nothing to live for. Beautiful. Smart. Educated professional she was, life had handed her difficulties. She thought she could never overcome life’s storms.
What were the right words to say to someone such as this?
There’s Hope
When life throws you lemons, make lemonade.
Only the strong survive.
Hold on, never give up.
The tide will change. Keep going.
Stay positive.
Meditate. Pray.
While there’s life there’s hope.
Will she find solace in any of these? I’m sure. Your thoughts? Do share. We would love to hear.
The Qualified are haunted and hunted by the overqualified syndrome. One recruiter even went so far as to say she would not hire someone who she believes is ‘over-qualified’ for the job. But has that recruiter examined the reason the so-called over-qualified applicant is searching? It could be for a career change. It could be to start a family and the person chooses to take a step back. It could also be an empty nester with a desire to simply slow down.
Give the Peeps a Chance
Here’s where it becomes necessary for the well-experienced candidate to use strategies to convince recruiters that you have no intention to come in to wreak havoc. Your desire is to join forces and work hard for the organization and/or department’s benefit.
Be warned Recruiter, one day you may be get there and then you will understand…when you’re misunderstood.
Explain upfront why you’re applying for a position that seems beneath you
Be consistent in explaining your reasons for applying throughout all interviews for the job
Line up references who will vouch for your commitment
Network with contacts who also know insiders at the target company
As a HR practitioner myself, I tend to be open to diverse applicants and our society certainly expects it. However, not all organization’s search process is without idiosyncrasies. So if you are an experienced job searcher as The power of Resilience when things go wrong in this depiction, the strategies listed before will help.
If you are on the hunt and find that there’s something that works for you, do share, we would love to hear.
As I look over the circus of things I like, I realize that though I enjoy them and they bring me satisfaction, I find myself not doing them as much and in some cases at all. For over two decades I have been caught up in work, work, work. So this prompt helped me pull away and ponder the things I once enjoyed, or get to enjoy on a rare occasion.
But even as I finalize the list I realize that life’s not promised, so I intend to start doing the things I like and stop leaving them for …one day soon.
Watch The Waves By The Sea
That said, the things I like are:
People watch
Explore the world
Simple things
Enjoy a good laugh
Acting | Participating in drama presentations
Wearing a smile
See people mentored achieve their best potential
Watch movies
Write, ponder, reflect
Decorate the house
Go shopping
Watch HGTV | Travel channel
Learn new things
Read
Cook
Enjoy the company of my two young adult kids
Dream of Venice | Alaska
People watch in downtown Disney, Washington DC Parks
Watch the waves by the beach
Nature – stare at birds, squirrels, and circus of trees
Christmas Lights
Look out at the horizon from a hill or mountain
Capturing candid photos (new experience)
Finding a new route after getting lost in a new place (yikes!)
Quiet time
Solving a mystery or a problem
New baby hugs
Listening to that Still Small Voice Of Faith
Any of the above resonate. Do share. We would love to hear.
My book GreenLight will be in-store! Yes Barnes & Noble, Plantation, FL.
Its the place You want to Go this Summer for books and reading. So go pick up a book or 2 to read as you relax this summer and while you’re there pick up a copy of my book GreenLight: When God says Go. With its short stories, It’s sure to inspire you or a friend.
The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life. ~Steve Jobs
Success is a joy. It brings satisfaction beyond measure. But as we progress we find it can become burdensome as in the case of celebrities, burnt-out executives missing family time, entrepreneurs, career enthusiasts, and myriads more. Sometimes success carries weight.
Reflect On Your Why
Today, reflect on your why. Why you want to go where you want to go. Reflect on why you want to do what you want to do. Then go… find that Success. But as Steve Jobs learnt, create that balance. Only then you will find that lasting peace. That solace that’s sure to bring you joy.
I like the peace and quiet of being at sea. It’s different. ~Rafael Nadal
Waves splash in seemless style. Scattered folks chat gleefully in the distance. The boat’s engine beckons its revolving sound. The weekend rides on with high traffic of boats afloat on the water. Totally relaxed. The sun steams above. People clothed in hats, T’s, shorts, and more, welcoming the light breeze. Sounds get louder…yet not disturbing.
Fish, seawater creatures missing…nowhere in sight. Mountainous hills of water sprout like surfers beneath waves. Ship’s captain steers tourist-filled-boats pass beautiful houses planted on the sea’s edge. Just imagine the visitor’s delight to rent for a few. Pretty penny, but so worth it. Lovers steal selfies, kisses, and quiet love.
I quietly doze off. Calm, cool, relaxed.
Nice way to spend a quick getaway doing something different…fishing.
Edgewater, Water Taxi, Sovereign, Imagine, Gallant Lady, Waku, Days-Like-This…all boat names… but couldn’t agree more.
If you’re physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them – wherever you go. ~Anthony Bourdain
If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write, because our culture has no use for it.” ~Anais Nin
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. ~Dr. Suess
I have always wanted to visit Paris. This was the promised gift to myself when I hung up my student cap after years and years of continuous studies. Then the workaholic that I am, saw 4 years go by in a flash embarking on community initiatives, writing, and more.
My oldest surprised me with a Birthday Weekend trip to Paris. But how can I visit Paris for just a weekend? I needed a Retreat. That’s when my youngest ‘scolded’ me. “Go”, she said. “You have always wanted to do it. Just go.” I agreed and made it into a long weekend. Wonder of wonders! I discovered I even had time to spare. Time to watch the rain, the people, and the waves of the Seine River go by at sunset.
Travel Across Continents
The flight was long but it was far from boring. I read. I wrote. I watched movies. I chatted with my oldest, slept, and I ate. Before we knew it, the descent was upon us.
Reading in Flight
Travel’s Cultural Differences
Cultural differences are everywhere. In Paris the hotel rooms are tiny spaces. Just enough to get by, yet absolutely comfortable. TV channels are in Le Francais. Plugs for chargers, electrical items and such differ. Disappointed, frustrated for sure I was at first, but then it’s not about me. I travel for new experiences and that’s what I got.
A polite society…bonjour, merci, pardon, were among the basics to know in that language and will serve as the basic entre to service. They are curt and offer no apologies. So do your research before you go and you’ll be just fine (smile).
Travel’s Cuisine
Food in Paris is divine. Delicious. Sumptuous. Absolutely satisfying. But don’t rush….it ain’t fast food. When you visit the unique restaurants among which my fav is the Cafe, you dine, taste the delectables, and chill. No rush for the check. You ask, you eventually receive.
Transportation
Getting around you have the choice of the cabs, buses, the metro. But may God help you if you do not understand the linguistic pronunciation of the place where you are going. When you arrive at your stop, you may not even know. So ask, ask, ask information before you board. Then read as you progress at each stop.
Speaking from experience…do I need to say more? Hint…frustration (smile)
Notre Dame
Paris Sites To See
You haven’t been to Paris if you haven’t visited La Tour Eiffel, Notre-Dame, Le Louvre and smiled with Mona Lisa. Sites …beautiful. Historically meaningful. Mesmerizing. Long walks. Tired feet, but worth every minute.
The Eiffel Tower
So that’s a tiny glimpse into my Parisian journey for the first time. The trip was memorable. The photos provide the stillness of the moment. A dream come through. Would I go back? Yessss definitely!
I encourage you to take the time to step out and achieve your own dreams. Big or small, they will come through despite the odds.
I did it Afraid. Yes, I was afraid but I did it anyway. A skydive in Ocean City, Maryland. 14,000 ft. in the air! Here I share the jump, the skydive in pictures.
Meeting my Trainer – Tandem JumpThe ride. The assentThe Coach. What to expect when jumping 14,000 ft. from a plane in the airBeing reminded to pull the chute during jump…yikes!And Jump!! Feeling the fear!!Pull! Then Enjoy the SoarAmazing viewWow! I am dreamingOh what a feeling!The Air. The Sea. And finally…The land.
