Being Unemployed is Only a Small Segment of Time in Our Lives

“…knowing that, in the grand scheme of things,
we live in a world where rainy days
eventually give way to sunnier skies.”
R.L. Keith

What struck me reading R.L. Keith’s quote this period of time being unemployed is only a small segment of our lives. I know it seems things will never change. Believe me things will get better.

I would like to tell you a story about Caroline.

Caroline Hopkins (name changed) worked for a small Medical Device Company located in Chicago, Ill. She was the Executive Assistant to Jack Lyons (name changed), President of the company. Caroline worked for the company seventeen years.

There were rumors flying around the company that Jack Lyons was retiring and selling the company. Every time Caroline approached Mr. Lyons about the rumors, she was told not to worry he planned on working another twenty years.

Having total faith in Mr. Lyons she told everyone the rumors were not true and went on her merry way. Even when other firms were asking if she would be interested in another job her answer was, “I will never leave Jack Lyons.”

One Monday morning Mr. Lyons called Caroline into his office, sheepishly told her the company was being sold and he was retiring. Not believing what she heard Caroline stumbled out of his office and went home. She was in total shock.

The months passed quickly and before Caroline could get her bearings she was out of a job. What was she going to do?

At first she could not function and spent most of her days in the house. One day reading the newspaper she saw that an Unemployed Support Group was forming at her local library.

Caroline went to the library and signed-up for the first meeting that night. To her amazement there were 40 other people attending the meeting. It was the first time in months she did not feel alone.

Caroline listened intently and was surprised to feel her positive energy returning. What she heard and repeated to herself constantly, “This is a small segment of my life and things are changing constantly.” This statement helped Caroline regain her belief she would find a job.

With this new faith in finding a job, Caroline joined the Circle of Inspiration for the Unemployed and started taking small action steps daily to find a new job and within six months she was working again. She changed fields and today manages a Nursery School.

Caroline keeps saying, “What helped me the most was finding support, learning from other people and realizing this time was only a small segment of my life.”

Now It Is Your Time
• List the small action steps you can take to find support. Working with even one other person helps you to keep motivated and not feel alone while on this journey.
• List messages you can constantly repeat to reassure yourself you are okay. Reassuring ourselves gives us the courage and strength to keep moving ahead. Examples:
o This is only a small segment of my life and things are changing constantly.
o I am taking the right steps for finding that perfect job.
o I am safe, loved and very successful.

Please share your stories with the Circle of Inspiration Community. Together supporting each other you will find strength, different action steps you can take and the knowledge this is only a small segment of your life.

Helen