tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34304189243836651532024-03-13T10:11:05.778-07:00Sterner Stuff: These Trying Time$Learning to adjust to difficult times is the new pass-time. Economic woes are more than merely money woes; the toll is on every level. There's more to life than just getting by; here we'll work on surviving, and thriving.America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-25923908939786825242013-05-28T12:51:00.001-07:002013-05-28T12:51:59.025-07:00The Re-Adjustment Bureau<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBx5YT8QAjM1aYVNxcuK3m0CLf6ESjtlv-EdZUnEm5yjFcPMeVZg3FtBTk0FI8u5h_WFuhnPnNBVm8sfI-DxjwAcbeAIDn1Wv-_2Nc35loHSKY-G_NZUVbS_aHWLfdN5WSeObQT3Rqgs/s1600/imagesCA98YP24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBx5YT8QAjM1aYVNxcuK3m0CLf6ESjtlv-EdZUnEm5yjFcPMeVZg3FtBTk0FI8u5h_WFuhnPnNBVm8sfI-DxjwAcbeAIDn1Wv-_2Nc35loHSKY-G_NZUVbS_aHWLfdN5WSeObQT3Rqgs/s400/imagesCA98YP24.jpg" width="400" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><strong>Because of comparisons and the materialistic, consumer-based, </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>competitive world we live in, many of us consider ourselves less </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>successful and less of a provider when we are unable to maintain </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>the same lifestyles we had before. But the physical objects and the </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>community </strong><strong>standings </strong><strong>are beyond insignificant in the scheme of things.</strong></div>
<strong><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</strong><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>After you recuperate from the shock and the depression, lifting your-</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>self up and establishing your spirit, your character, your stamina, your </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>energy is what will make the difference in carving out a new life for </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>yourself. </strong></div>
<strong><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</strong><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Never giving in to despair and defeat no matter how hard the fight </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>or how steep the climb. Continuing to embolden yourself and stay </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>optimistic, someone that you can be proud of. Remembering that </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>you have value intrinsic to your existence, and it has nothing to do </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>with income level or how others perceive you. </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Recalibrate to understand that.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>**********************************************</strong></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-71674121304849480632013-05-15T20:04:00.000-07:002013-05-15T20:04:12.605-07:00Please DO Readjust Your Set<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDvtqbxbzA3dzxad0eAbuQ5ySgce9JoQqcbvQ_14eevu7BXraucHckiPSYB9ELM0XwBax-4UgEBuvDkWa29h1W-GMOfrYXk_EqG4xGE_1bgLsuPke6Qxury9aC9lQea72CNFZCjhh8rA/s1600/imagesCA85IO7K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" pua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDvtqbxbzA3dzxad0eAbuQ5ySgce9JoQqcbvQ_14eevu7BXraucHckiPSYB9ELM0XwBax-4UgEBuvDkWa29h1W-GMOfrYXk_EqG4xGE_1bgLsuPke6Qxury9aC9lQea72CNFZCjhh8rA/s1600/imagesCA85IO7K.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Because of the trap of comparing ourselves to others </strong><br />
<strong>(and </strong><strong>their success) and the materialistic, consumer-</strong><br />
<strong>based, competitive world we live in, many of us consider </strong><br />
<strong>ourselves less successful and less of a provider when </strong><br />
<strong>we </strong><strong>are unable to maintain the same lifestyles as before. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>But the </strong><strong>physical </strong><strong>objects and the ability to keep pace </strong><br />
<strong>really </strong><strong>are </strong><strong>beyond insignificant in the scheme of things.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>After you recuperate from the shock and the depression</strong><br />
<strong>of the drastic changes your life has undergone, </strong><strong>lift yourself </strong><br />
<strong>up and re-establish your spirit, your character, </strong><strong>your stamina, </strong><br />
<strong>your energy is what will make the difference </strong><strong>in carving out </strong><br />
<strong>a new life for yourself. </strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Never giving in to despair and defeat no matter how hard </strong><br />
<strong>the fight or how steep the climb. Continuing to embolden </strong><br />
<strong>yourself and stay optimistic, someone that you can be proud </strong><br />
<strong>of, even if in a new context, part of a new paradigm.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Remembering that you have value intrinsic to your existence, </strong><br />
<strong>and it has nothing to do with income level or how others</strong><br />
<strong>perceive you. Recalibrate to understand that.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*******************************************</strong></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-79605572989734089562013-04-18T13:47:00.002-07:002013-04-18T13:47:36.205-07:00As it Turns Out....We Got Turned Out!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-FfYrgH80AHNBtJZFuaMY2cbYb0lVFmRa4g0hhRuawyfVqYRIcePV-eWuJch_shwsvRZ8HE9FG3dkNXfMfdj6lyL25JfAN0MB9_joB9rbSrw08brJhkClfTPW3w3PMuXRqDJS9dmrd4/s1600/wealth+would+trickle+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-FfYrgH80AHNBtJZFuaMY2cbYb0lVFmRa4g0hhRuawyfVqYRIcePV-eWuJch_shwsvRZ8HE9FG3dkNXfMfdj6lyL25JfAN0MB9_joB9rbSrw08brJhkClfTPW3w3PMuXRqDJS9dmrd4/s400/wealth+would+trickle+down.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">That's okay....we got this.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">(Well, it's not 'okay,' but..)</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Just because the system is broken </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">and 'the odds seem ever (not) in our favor'</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">doesn't mean we're counted out yet.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">I plan on surviving and doing well</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">just for the pure, undiluted spite</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">of it all.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Success isn't about bank accounts;</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">it's about quality and attitude of living</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">(And, no--one is <em>not</em> dependent upon the other.)</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">***</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-25570617716411290532013-04-06T13:30:00.000-07:002013-04-06T13:30:28.170-07:00Word Imperfect<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyd4ToiNIKHa-d-npUEQg732D8b7dj0lr6TXhQcs7BjsYVZTf54XlF2x98Gc5xARpo-54Ljmf2iU8QXKbXee92UR-l4YZdUaZow_SKs6IHEw4Noh1CCuQMW4zFvgfgaEk4Lq-Pbyi5pg/s1600/imagesCAG64CGD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyd4ToiNIKHa-d-npUEQg732D8b7dj0lr6TXhQcs7BjsYVZTf54XlF2x98Gc5xARpo-54Ljmf2iU8QXKbXee92UR-l4YZdUaZow_SKs6IHEw4Noh1CCuQMW4zFvgfgaEk4Lq-Pbyi5pg/s320/imagesCAG64CGD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>The catch phrase of 'combatting poverty' makes it sound </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>like a visible consolidated Bogeyman is hiding under the</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>American bed...that we can wrap our hands around its neck</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>and dispose of it with a concentrated effort of unity and </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>disdain...as well as some food banks and charity.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>But poverty is not a demon or a haphazard plight; it is a </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>social </strong><strong>evil that is perpetrated upon the less organized and </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>less skilled, </strong><strong>the less educated and the less prepared. </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Sometimes there are those who </strong><strong>are introduced new to the ranks </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>as a result </strong><strong>of extreme circumstances, but often impoverished</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>conditions are a lifetime struggle...almost always a multi-generational</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>affair.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rpeVSMILRSVInK_tDGjrTIFew_FeXJ8cZOt4lZMut2k5u7aFZLRULN93okD18EBp9rn-fK3X31Z2H46faii7gdcyzGGLo3q9LSEI9Id1BGbR9xViEX9uzXCrGqOxm2tPPAOQAvc8Wlc/s1600/imagesCA5NWT1C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rpeVSMILRSVInK_tDGjrTIFew_FeXJ8cZOt4lZMut2k5u7aFZLRULN93okD18EBp9rn-fK3X31Z2H46faii7gdcyzGGLo3q9LSEI9Id1BGbR9xViEX9uzXCrGqOxm2tPPAOQAvc8Wlc/s1600/imagesCA5NWT1C.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>It results from specific actions by specific people and groups </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>and the laws that are enacted by the same. Almost always </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>avoidable.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6khTb2Nm_J7dvl-85xAfPXT-Y1vI-ncgFJ1Hea_1Fq0MgGPAyyJvlDTTb5AN76w6cYl97Z52P72roEBjiLt2wSUdLWz7pY5WFCbX6CN5dJRSzjnyP6zuFbgymDrqfS34hivbulvPR60/s1600/imagesCACLBK5U.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6khTb2Nm_J7dvl-85xAfPXT-Y1vI-ncgFJ1Hea_1Fq0MgGPAyyJvlDTTb5AN76w6cYl97Z52P72roEBjiLt2wSUdLWz7pY5WFCbX6CN5dJRSzjnyP6zuFbgymDrqfS34hivbulvPR60/s1600/imagesCACLBK5U.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Poverty is a state of mind that feeds on itself, But its origins </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>are </strong><strong>man-made and inexcusable. It is a serial limiting of </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>choices and </strong><strong>the willful allowing of people to die unnecessarily </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>and prematurely.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>It places a money amount on a life. </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>On a child's health. </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>On a </strong><strong>mother's hunger.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>On a man's worth.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjTuP-XIL4o01NWcnpBD7mSjXLMkZ0a2rfVFPzBexyIOn1Ooen1jbu4REQnp4gO6rygj2vC9tOyK3RSoo3XKR06eUOS10yDb9ubPUzPOeqHCtHcUDYcP4XvaC7zlFufWl24Fwz7PS14A/s1600/imagesCA8F9O28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjTuP-XIL4o01NWcnpBD7mSjXLMkZ0a2rfVFPzBexyIOn1Ooen1jbu4REQnp4gO6rygj2vC9tOyK3RSoo3XKR06eUOS10yDb9ubPUzPOeqHCtHcUDYcP4XvaC7zlFufWl24Fwz7PS14A/s1600/imagesCA8F9O28.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Poverty doesn't 'just happen.' It's an orchestrated design, </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>thrust </strong><strong>on the less powerful by those who are unconcerned </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>about the </strong><strong>consequences of their actions.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>It's an entire system in place that rolls forward like a </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Sherman </strong><strong>tank, and has the full sanction and blessing of </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>those who can </strong><strong>not be defeated.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxYJhyZK9ROwd8qWbyucpgUe68F78uqdrM86rxMuE1QbAAPwptkaibe_TvClnqiD2kLVZxk3vgzrVMJCS13F7S3VD0fAg5jnG5t7SDU9syHjor78-lPSAbULdWngBpA_1vfHpO1Cxc4I/s1600/imagesCAXQZSG4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxYJhyZK9ROwd8qWbyucpgUe68F78uqdrM86rxMuE1QbAAPwptkaibe_TvClnqiD2kLVZxk3vgzrVMJCS13F7S3VD0fAg5jnG5t7SDU9syHjor78-lPSAbULdWngBpA_1vfHpO1Cxc4I/s1600/imagesCAXQZSG4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>We<em> can</em> fight a war on poverty...</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>but only by addressing the causes and </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>instigators rather than putting a band-aid</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>on the end results.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>********************************************</strong></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-44436692393747152272013-03-22T09:12:00.000-07:002013-03-22T09:12:42.470-07:00Saving Sense<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxusybp3ItW9FtW59XwUHfo8wEWAKzGmIprucWAtJKU4oikr2GsyVpjxXwUhobajeaeoHLbVyLCqgba3UEu11P86iZFSOAZ7PPVsP_aLd7WFK9mmT9zUJcZG3NgTRPuNqlPNU1GXyqO4/s1600/imagesCALJEJBP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxusybp3ItW9FtW59XwUHfo8wEWAKzGmIprucWAtJKU4oikr2GsyVpjxXwUhobajeaeoHLbVyLCqgba3UEu11P86iZFSOAZ7PPVsP_aLd7WFK9mmT9zUJcZG3NgTRPuNqlPNU1GXyqO4/s400/imagesCALJEJBP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Every little bit of conservation</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>adds up!</strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8MiuvCeW8POjayQ4nW83FdpIZ4blIT7DpUEIDeR8HtRd5SGvwPKFcllAx1avNGVFUcntY4oTpSo6SL0o5MgDGvoFbrjXbZDO8bsRA3G7TKlgDDwqhny5FhxJ0oLyUdy8HKGZdjB2OKw/s1600/e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8MiuvCeW8POjayQ4nW83FdpIZ4blIT7DpUEIDeR8HtRd5SGvwPKFcllAx1avNGVFUcntY4oTpSo6SL0o5MgDGvoFbrjXbZDO8bsRA3G7TKlgDDwqhny5FhxJ0oLyUdy8HKGZdjB2OKw/s320/e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-21492014674333618242013-02-22T10:41:00.001-08:002013-02-22T10:41:20.679-08:00Tough Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5pZGbjqysVXdjVp2bG708TeiC4rYsEZnJXkJh9uDLRv8_wlo02t2aqF0Sl_lOHH_a1_OLJF5c_jo8TYnh5s-64WNJeX_1badhqlyS6snMIgBHwHzQlD29E_yqSqXJSPl101OccuKZFM/s1600/imagesCATNM5A3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5pZGbjqysVXdjVp2bG708TeiC4rYsEZnJXkJh9uDLRv8_wlo02t2aqF0Sl_lOHH_a1_OLJF5c_jo8TYnh5s-64WNJeX_1badhqlyS6snMIgBHwHzQlD29E_yqSqXJSPl101OccuKZFM/s1600/imagesCATNM5A3.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>Are you depressed? </strong><br />
<strong>Tired? </strong><br />
<strong>Unmotivated? </strong><br />
<strong>Listless? </strong><br />
<strong>In Pain?</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Well, get up off your <em>ass</em> , get outta the <em>bed</em>, and </strong><br />
<strong>find something to do, anyway. And if you haven't</strong><br />
<strong>been doing so, get out of the house.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Fresh air, interaction, accomplishment, mobility, and</strong><br />
<strong>change of scenery are requirements for keeping the</strong><br />
<strong>demons at bay.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I speak from experience when I say it's an everyday </strong><br />
<strong>struggle to keep feelings and circumstance from</strong><br />
<strong>doing me in. We can't be ruled by emotion or fears. </strong><br />
<strong>Make yourself get up, drill sergeant style.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Whatever it takes to generate movement. </strong><br />
<strong>Activity is crucial to feeling better and accomplished.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>To start moving is a magical.</strong><br />
<strong>Survival begins with refusing defeat. </strong><br />
<strong>You don't need a long-term plan to just start moving.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-40521859619764734742013-02-19T11:09:00.001-08:002013-02-19T11:09:53.932-08:00Who's In Charge of Your Workshop?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eZXceXSiSQpz8V4SXAr3_i4Uj-_mUmYt_CqL00O-wlliH8ODXr0tjh0chP4-pFh3VuIQjtLr5dVkcStZbfbFOEhWcv8w8b5jmTUyfxVHBAA2nzXt_buzl9DGRT6dWdYBAbseXsaAQWo/s1600/imagesCA15UFQ1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eZXceXSiSQpz8V4SXAr3_i4Uj-_mUmYt_CqL00O-wlliH8ODXr0tjh0chP4-pFh3VuIQjtLr5dVkcStZbfbFOEhWcv8w8b5jmTUyfxVHBAA2nzXt_buzl9DGRT6dWdYBAbseXsaAQWo/s400/imagesCA15UFQ1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>As a realist and a cynic, I see things for what they are,</strong><br />
<strong>not the feel-good facade often promoted. I see the world</strong><br />
<strong>stripped bare of pretense.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Sometimes, that harshness threatens to consume me.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>When you're going a spell without work, when having nothing</strong><br />
<strong>of value to occupy your mind (or hands,) when questioning your </strong><br />
<strong>worth based on the normal tenants of what people in our society </strong><br />
<strong>are 'supposed' to have in their lives....things can get rough.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>When you're an unemployed person--shifted out of normal </strong><br />
<strong>society as we are--separate, detached, lost...you can lose </strong><br />
<strong>your grip on the world very easily...and quickly.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>We have to work overtime to make sure that doesn't happen.</strong><br />
<strong>Any or all of these tips that can help are ways to avoid having</strong><br />
<strong>the situation get to you.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*Occupy yourself; keep busy and productive</strong><br />
<strong>*Reinforce your best attributes; stop beating yourself up</strong><br />
<strong>*Surround yourself with correct things, not negatives</strong><br />
<strong>*Keep working on what's important to you</strong><br />
<strong>*Don't let yourself go; maintain hygiene and house cleaning</strong><br />
<strong>*Keep to a schedule</strong><br />
<strong>*Keep working on goals</strong><br />
<strong>*Do something body-wise like exercise</strong><br />
<strong>*Do something for your mind like learning a new word, language, etc.</strong><br />
<strong>*Do something spirit-wise, like meditation</strong><br />
<strong>*Do something fun or freeing, like laugh, dance, or draw</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>You may not<em> feel </em>like doing any of these things, but just as a</strong><br />
<strong>job is sometimes a means to a paycheck, sometimes in life we</strong><br />
<strong>have to do the groundwork for a better outcome, even when we </strong><br />
<strong>don't </strong><strong>feel motivated.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Make taking care of yourself your new full-time job.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*************************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-63491632907060772782013-02-10T09:19:00.000-08:002013-02-10T09:19:13.904-08:00Sunday is a Day of Re-Set<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNqHbz0YcI3NPAF6okSXj5y5H-HbYlTF_G-H_MpZHVcCuwlIox3xB6tkTi9DF5p7OYBhBJATfr0uEKV2W6zHcvFE7iV64MWUVF9jVNfCzyL10vGXI-keJ5qFWaP_2YpS7tyjxMqY8_0k/s1600/wisdom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" fea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNqHbz0YcI3NPAF6okSXj5y5H-HbYlTF_G-H_MpZHVcCuwlIox3xB6tkTi9DF5p7OYBhBJATfr0uEKV2W6zHcvFE7iV64MWUVF9jVNfCzyL10vGXI-keJ5qFWaP_2YpS7tyjxMqY8_0k/s1600/wisdom.jpg" /></strong></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Keep working at it; keep battling.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>No concern for resistance, no attention to past losses.</strong></div>
<strong><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</strong><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>A man--a person--is not a cumulative effort of losses. </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Losses are things </strong><strong>that happen, inevitable, normal. </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Don't lose perspective because you're i</strong><strong>n the midst of one now.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Regain that moxy and verve.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Don't accept a secondary position of value in your mind.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Don't let the opinions </strong><strong>and condescension of others alter your self-concept. </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Be strong, motivated, </strong><strong>proud, audacious.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Don't let the emotions lead you. </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Feel them...without being controlled or </strong><strong>led by them.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>YOU CAN DO THIS.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>***</strong></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-75383760148598077602013-02-07T12:29:00.000-08:002013-02-07T12:29:59.561-08:00"I´m Still Standing"covered by André Fuckert<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uN6u5x9-4_U" width="480"></iframe>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-35964498670136786902013-01-26T08:42:00.000-08:002013-01-26T08:42:01.422-08:00Gary Allan - "Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain"<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NcMcIFhD02M" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<strong>No matter how committed you are, there are days when you wake up </strong><br />
<strong>and just "aren't feeling it."</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>When you think<em> "Why bother?"</em> and bemoan your self-diagnosed</strong><br />
<strong>terminal condition of <em>"Nothing is ever going to change, no matter what I do!"<br /></em>And those are the days where you have to <em>make </em>yourself do it, </strong><br />
<strong>despite the feeling lacking.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>When you have to remember <em>whatever</em> inspires you, like maybe </strong><br />
<strong>the words to a good song, and hold it closer.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>"Feel the apathy, and DO IT anyway!"</em> </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Get up. Get moving. Get active and stay that way.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*********************************************************</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-43422311719651837212012-12-07T13:20:00.000-08:002012-12-07T13:20:01.460-08:00Multi-Purpose Distractions<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiKW1wMvqy5ZMPML9NlokNpZzLmX6opWfPX8W46sl0G02KpqRnxQ3qOidiHPk7KJU9JKqcXxjFag3oPRcqwZ05YcJcQlWFLBc1L4kzS_e2LaledCelP-cYAJoMQcsUmxqshu6_qC3SsU/s1600/imagesCA7GFA57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiKW1wMvqy5ZMPML9NlokNpZzLmX6opWfPX8W46sl0G02KpqRnxQ3qOidiHPk7KJU9JKqcXxjFag3oPRcqwZ05YcJcQlWFLBc1L4kzS_e2LaledCelP-cYAJoMQcsUmxqshu6_qC3SsU/s1600/imagesCA7GFA57.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>One of the great things I have found to serve as distraction/hobby is growing</strong><br />
<strong>my own garden. Not a small feat for someone with Zero experience in</strong><br />
<strong>such an endeavor nor a smidge of patience. But it did, excuse the pun, grow</strong><br />
<strong>on me.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Gardening has been a multi-purpose delight, offering me a distraction from </strong><br />
<strong>my troubles as it keeps my mind engaged and let's time wile away....as well</strong><br />
<strong>as providing a tremendous therapeutic release. It's also heartening to see the</strong><br />
<strong>fruits of your efforts appear and be of use...once again making me feel productive</strong><br />
<strong>and capable. And finally, it's a tremendously beneficial cost-saving measure...</strong><br />
<strong>and insurance that your diet will consist of fresh and healthy items!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>You can do a makeshift greenhouse out of pretty much any space, or convert </strong><br />
<strong>a window-filled room of a house into a greenhouse. If you're especially handy</strong><br />
<strong>you can build a small greenhouse from predominantly recycled/reused materials </strong><br />
<strong>for next to nothing and in no time. The plastic sheeting would be the most costly</strong><br />
<strong>piece. (Free blueprints are available online!)</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnvhGGOqqafA1y4DjNIeSsGWWPgoqIePnqu7ONslioIwwkSdRA4ZvchH-7BFSEcaQoR2U-3S4CXignLGXYIyx8tPkF9A72nU2pUn09IyRHAB7dd3BsaYiK-gidznH5W4Uak-q7VvJWcw/s1600/imagesCAQN931L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnvhGGOqqafA1y4DjNIeSsGWWPgoqIePnqu7ONslioIwwkSdRA4ZvchH-7BFSEcaQoR2U-3S4CXignLGXYIyx8tPkF9A72nU2pUn09IyRHAB7dd3BsaYiK-gidznH5W4Uak-q7VvJWcw/s1600/imagesCAQN931L.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Here are some of the easy ways to get started, as well as benefits of doing it:</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>* Fresh fruits and vegetables, fewer trips to store, and without pesticides.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*Economical: Seeds can be purchased at the end of season (summer </strong><br />
<strong> especially)</strong><strong> from stores like Dollar General for 90% off--anywhere </strong><br />
<strong> from .03 to .05 cents total. </strong><strong> (A great many of my plants I started from </strong><br />
<strong> seeds I saved from product we ate; </strong><strong>peppers, scallions, tomatoes, etc.)</strong><br />
<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>* Same for soil and manure, marked down and affordable at end of season </strong><br />
<strong> for stores </strong><strong>who don't carry year round. You can also find piles of unused dirt </strong><br />
<strong> and soil all over; </strong><strong>generally folks will let you have it if you ask. See below </strong><br />
<strong> for my recipe for soil prep.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>* Easy: Not much space required, not a whole lot of time needed. Keep it </strong><br />
<strong> small and </strong><strong>simple until you get the hang of it. With indoor gardening, you </strong><br />
<strong> don't have the animals </strong><strong>to contend with, your crop will grow any time, and </strong><br />
<strong> the weather is not a concern.</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1XOQz7eAIimyFEoak34I22FbbyW3MCDJLcyd0_1RAjVOnFL1hyQX6XnSeJ5FoGMHPgLma05mVT3dHxYqXQEqHQvbCDFhCh2yCuzzoWK452KvKtYuFaH3CpWhageFTOfF3BSaATg5gC8/s1600/imagesCAT8NGWO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1XOQz7eAIimyFEoak34I22FbbyW3MCDJLcyd0_1RAjVOnFL1hyQX6XnSeJ5FoGMHPgLma05mVT3dHxYqXQEqHQvbCDFhCh2yCuzzoWK452KvKtYuFaH3CpWhageFTOfF3BSaATg5gC8/s1600/imagesCAT8NGWO.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>* It's about results, not aesthetics. Your shelves and planters can be made </strong><br />
<strong> from scrap </strong><strong>wood, plastic trays, reused garden trays, tomato boxes from </strong><br />
<strong> the store, or whatever </strong><strong>else you have on hand or pick up on the road. Soil </strong><br />
<strong> can be mixed in used buckets, </strong><strong>storage totes missing their lids, etc. Be creative.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>* Environmental/Inexpensive: Recycle/refurbish/repurpose ANYthing!</strong><br />
<strong> Other pots, trays, buckets, egg cartons for seedlings, plastic bottles to </strong><br />
<strong> fill out the </strong><strong>bottoms of large planters, newspaper for water absorption, </strong><br />
<strong> milk jugs for watering </strong><strong>cans, metal cans for small planters, and so on. </strong><br />
<strong> You do not have to spend a lot of </strong><strong>money to have an effective garden.</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_etfphym6udRQD50QwlU4ID7rX5kDfwju_GRJBFdmPODnaCu-hU97EwNDOrYHgK-mF5tzEmT_TC9jIca-zLqZjjplIKKe0pYqIPBTfTlROQP426FRawrEQBya_Gcxqj7lptukyp_ToU/s1600/imagesCA0OHKYJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_etfphym6udRQD50QwlU4ID7rX5kDfwju_GRJBFdmPODnaCu-hU97EwNDOrYHgK-mF5tzEmT_TC9jIca-zLqZjjplIKKe0pYqIPBTfTlROQP426FRawrEQBya_Gcxqj7lptukyp_ToU/s1600/imagesCA0OHKYJ.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>* Even the least handy handy-man can put together wooden gardening </strong><br />
<strong> trays or basic simple shelves for your plants to be leveled and save </strong><br />
<strong> on room.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>* Anyone can do it. I had no experience, and I just tried some common </strong><br />
<strong> sense things, </strong><strong>learned by trial and error, consulted a few websites, and </strong><br />
<strong> read a few books. </strong><br />
<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>* Reduce household waste; Start a bin for refuse compost. Everything </strong><br />
<strong> from coffee </strong><strong>grinds to egg shells to ashes from fireplaces can be used </strong><br />
<strong> in a garden. I till my </strong><strong>compost in directly to the soil I use for new plants, </strong><br />
<strong> letting it decompose while the </strong><strong>seeds grow. Less bugs and smell this way, </strong><br />
<strong> as well as work.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>* Therapeutic: Something of your own, a space of your own, relaxing and </strong><br />
<strong> a great time-</strong><strong>passer with results to show. You're providing your own food, </strong><br />
<strong> accomplishing something, </strong><strong>saving money, and being productive.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>You can even turn a profit if you have a buyer for excess, or barter your </strong><br />
<strong>overage with </strong><strong>other folks who have things you need.</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t3zBtqUFFa-QOWuoZ2Nje0WsyQGzo139WxkwBqvDcr-PwTh_IwihkRm56hM1LIfR4wi5EM5KyeNzIArLllR0R9S-lyXGoUh-G4JMj3CvT9YWllyeXVqvmBaDGmzxvav7_VpV5Wpk-Bo/s1600/imagesCAX121PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t3zBtqUFFa-QOWuoZ2Nje0WsyQGzo139WxkwBqvDcr-PwTh_IwihkRm56hM1LIfR4wi5EM5KyeNzIArLllR0R9S-lyXGoUh-G4JMj3CvT9YWllyeXVqvmBaDGmzxvav7_VpV5Wpk-Bo/s1600/imagesCAX121PH.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Here's my recipe for effective and awesome <u><span style="font-size: large;">soil mix for new plants</span></u>:</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>-30% top soil</strong><br />
<strong>-30% manure/Black Cow</strong><br />
<strong>-20% regular dirt from the yard, even clay or bad growing dirt</strong><br />
<strong>- 5% mulched leaves</strong><br />
<strong>- 5% per lite (water retention)</strong><br />
<strong>- 5% ashes; fireplace, burn pile, charcoal grill</strong><br />
<strong>- 5% compost material (Note; freeze your compost discards all along in a </strong><br />
<strong> large Ziploc, </strong><strong>then crush it apart and mix it in when making soil mixture in </strong><br />
<strong> a large tub. Freezing will </strong><strong>keep it from stinking until you have enough.)</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>My method for <u><span style="font-size: large;">prepping a tray/box</span></u> for seeds/new plants:</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>1st layer/base: Put some cardboard at the bottom to absorb excess water. </strong><br />
<strong> (Use </strong><strong>anything such as food boxes or delivery boxes cut down.)</strong><br />
<strong>2nd layer; Plastic bottom; can be saved bags that top soil came in, what-</strong><br />
<strong> ever works. </strong><strong>I use the 'cat litter sifter bags' from the dollar store that fill </strong><br />
<strong> the base of the tray and </strong><strong>yet have small holes in them for water drainage.</strong><br />
<strong>3rd layer; Leaves to provide water-retaining base and extra mulch.</strong><br />
<strong>4th layer; crumpled up newspaper</strong><br />
<strong>5th layer; Lots of your already mixed batch of soil, patted firm.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Dig a small hole for seeds, place cover dirt lightly over and water.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Good luck, and feel free to ask if you have any questions!</strong><br />
<strong>I'll share more tips as I go.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>**************************************************************</strong><br />
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-68080267403552178432012-11-27T14:07:00.000-08:002012-11-27T14:07:34.344-08:00<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9X3wIzlo336B1pghGfRWwwQ9tntpHu66Vuruo1Wjk1CtQZylKDngkTHUb3p7LQyIWpsQOvq45rlsQOPERGugJwUJZmng7CI4uWPF5W1leMGAyFezHk0FpaAdKmGiQcGFF5Nskuu1UG7c/s1600/understanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" fea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9X3wIzlo336B1pghGfRWwwQ9tntpHu66Vuruo1Wjk1CtQZylKDngkTHUb3p7LQyIWpsQOvq45rlsQOPERGugJwUJZmng7CI4uWPF5W1leMGAyFezHk0FpaAdKmGiQcGFF5Nskuu1UG7c/s1600/understanding.jpg" /></strong></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Sometimes it seems as if making multiple calls, never receiving </strong><br />
<strong>a straight answer, being ignored, and getting the runaround</strong><br />
<strong>are all 'job requirements' of my unemployment.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>It's not uncommon to have folks be openly hostile, or never </strong><br />
<strong>return a call, a letter, or e-mail <u>ever. </u></strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>I'm already stressed and depressed and fighting hard to keep my calm.</strong><br />
<strong>I certainly don't need condescending or incompetent or </strong><br />
<strong>indifferent folks (usually it's 'all of the above') treating me as </strong><br />
<strong>though I am a distraction to their day, when in fact they are </strong><br />
<strong>receiving a paycheck for providing me assistance. (Or rather,</strong><br />
<strong>they're receiving a paycheck for <em>maintaining the illusion</em> that they </strong><br />
<strong>are there to provide me with assistance.)</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>In a small town, you have a lot of 'gatekeepers' who get just a </strong><br />
<strong>little bit full of themselves, drunk on the power of whether or </strong><br />
<strong>not messages get delivered, resume's get handed in, etc. They start</strong><br />
<strong>to think their shit doesn't stink, and, furthermore, that you ought to </strong><br />
<strong>act accordingly. </strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN95riTNx2LEfvsImrmhr9D7uJhSkDUOQct4gCh-cKzW3A8svkpJmwpnX08mXV6yTW6IGtrqqsfhsW4DUuH86jUYQb_1ntGCyB9OrHF1KXWmLOB1Ns5plcAwn6zga9Hum_drAP6x5wsm4/s1600/imagesCAO396YG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN95riTNx2LEfvsImrmhr9D7uJhSkDUOQct4gCh-cKzW3A8svkpJmwpnX08mXV6yTW6IGtrqqsfhsW4DUuH86jUYQb_1ntGCyB9OrHF1KXWmLOB1Ns5plcAwn6zga9Hum_drAP6x5wsm4/s1600/imagesCAO396YG.jpg" tea="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Too bad there's no paycheck for dealing with all this circus, because </strong><br />
<strong>it's </strong><strong>for damned sure hard work!</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>I am not, nor have I ever been, someone who is a people person.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>I don't 'do' (mostly because I'm no good at it) the glad-handing,</strong><br />
<strong>baby-kissing, fake-ass manipulation of people that seems a necessity</strong><br />
<strong>for finding, getting, and maintaining even the most pedestrian of jobs.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Yet it isn't the <em>public</em> I have trouble with; it's the staff. The secretaries, the</strong><br />
<strong>coworkers, the managers, the owners; the folks who need to have their </strong><br />
<strong>assholes polished with other peoples' tongues in order for them to act </strong><br />
<strong>halfway right.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Then there's the nonsense factor that cultural and regional issues can</strong><br />
<strong>interfere </strong><strong>with how folks act; no matter how sweet and kindly and pro-</strong><br />
<strong>fessional </strong><strong>you are, some things like race, sex, age, sexuality, etc. are</strong><br />
<strong>not cottoned to </strong><strong>by others, and your workplace experience will be an </strong><br />
<strong>uphill climb. Your personal business affects your job, even if <em>you</em> are</strong><br />
<strong>not the one to introduce it!</strong><br />
<strong>(Most people just can't get comfortable with someone that doesn't look, </strong><br />
<strong>act, or speak exactly like them.)</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Yup, jobs are all about bureaucracy, bullshit, back-stabbing, bullying...</strong><br />
<strong>It's life. </strong><strong>It's designed to break you; Don't <em>let</em> it.</strong><br />
<br />***********************************************************America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-75859625990666855162012-11-12T12:49:00.000-08:002012-11-12T12:49:02.375-08:00Dire Consequences<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCYgGI-JWC08g-bdcP9m42gYxd5NdQ7FAyGziFO4Om-i1bDnAJzO5hrcPGLdKHAau9qsZGefsZkTzfcZSu_QsdN91diPXdi7LftjlPPR45LfUOfggkZPBff499TVM9E9LeAug4u444u8/s1600/imagesCA2CY067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCYgGI-JWC08g-bdcP9m42gYxd5NdQ7FAyGziFO4Om-i1bDnAJzO5hrcPGLdKHAau9qsZGefsZkTzfcZSu_QsdN91diPXdi7LftjlPPR45LfUOfggkZPBff499TVM9E9LeAug4u444u8/s1600/imagesCA2CY067.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>Beyond the economic pressures of being unemployed,</strong><br />
<strong>there are a plethora of physical and emotional aspects</strong><br />
<strong>where we need to be concerned.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The emotional strain of being out of work is a result of many</strong><br />
<strong>factors, not the least of which is having lost a sense of purpose,</strong><br />
<strong>a daily routine, structure, and even one's sense of self and </strong><br />
<strong>sense of productivity. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The psychological strain of not having a dependable and </strong><br />
<strong>regular flow of income, as well as the loss of face from no</strong><br />
<strong>longer being able to proudly state your job. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>All these components work off of one another to potentially</strong><br />
<strong>worsen our overall health if they aren't monitored, addressed,</strong><br />
<strong>and worked on.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Continued stress and lack of sleep can cause heart problems, </strong><br />
<strong>stroke, mental distress, diabetes, and other ongoing issues.</strong><br />
<strong>Pre-existing conditions are worsened. The body is opened up </strong><br />
<strong>to illnesses as the immune defenses are lessened.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Depression may cause us to be less concerned about taking care</strong><br />
<strong>of ourselves, as all we are seeing is the immediacy of the dark</strong><br />
<strong>situation. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>So, in the midst of all that troubles us, the best thing we can do</strong><br />
<strong>is to take control of the</strong> <strong>few (yet significant) things we can, such as:</strong><br />
<strong>+ eating as well as possible... not stress-</strong><strong>eating or over-eating</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>+ getting sufficent sleep, meditating, staying calm </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>+ keeping up personal hygiene with showers, brushing teeth, and</strong><br />
<strong> keeping your living quarters neat and clean</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>+ exercising, stretching out, walking, sex, using a punching bag</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>+ taking all medications and being vigilant with preexisting conditions,</strong><br />
<strong> seeing a doctor if something changes</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>+ finding </strong><strong>stress outlets like physical exercise, yard work, </strong><br />
<strong> artistic pursuits, counseling, talking with friends, and letting</strong><br />
<strong> the frustration out in healthy ways</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>DON'T just accept your troubles as unavoidable or overwhelming.</strong><br />
<strong>There is a lot you can do to take control of and exert your personal </strong><br />
<strong>power to maintain and improve the quality of your life. Take the </strong><br />
<strong>time and exert the energy to do so!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>**********************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-88129595700483525832012-11-05T13:13:00.000-08:002012-11-05T13:13:15.755-08:00"When Mitt Romney Came To Town" (Full film)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BLWnB9FGmWE?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwGmLinDuifNdHSC6zfpczff8BXzs9BCLRTKJ8TTTcJzvSZZrcZVK8G76OPlGR4X8bIlPf74MMd0-eelw722MLUuHT1onv29WYKWDm8UEeVwh94EuMCzATgYtNLG7jMjq7hEngobtAEU/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwGmLinDuifNdHSC6zfpczff8BXzs9BCLRTKJ8TTTcJzvSZZrcZVK8G76OPlGR4X8bIlPf74MMd0-eelw722MLUuHT1onv29WYKWDm8UEeVwh94EuMCzATgYtNLG7jMjq7hEngobtAEU/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-29701519669364990072012-09-22T13:43:00.001-07:002012-09-22T13:43:41.702-07:00True Gritting of the Teeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVgbHCxhVSNPJ2MfJlX3KCdsElrY1uZBTi6hl5aR_X8dnsdZxBeqStOZKWY6GPzzZYm6CUp8ubqm_JljvMQWBWLjpbjiycAMmAmgZbCzCyv7_ahBBdJR-2gzrjrLhTStSSlTUpwjJVtg/s1600/Atlas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVgbHCxhVSNPJ2MfJlX3KCdsElrY1uZBTi6hl5aR_X8dnsdZxBeqStOZKWY6GPzzZYm6CUp8ubqm_JljvMQWBWLjpbjiycAMmAmgZbCzCyv7_ahBBdJR-2gzrjrLhTStSSlTUpwjJVtg/s1600/Atlas.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>Men are expected to carry their weight, be dependent on no one,</strong><br />
<strong>never show weakness or vulnerability, and carry the load not</strong><br />
<strong>just for themselves, but others <em>too</em>.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Even as options dry up and possibilities wither, much demand is </strong><br />
<strong>placed squarely on the shoulders of men.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>For us, a lack of independence, a loss of our prior status quo, </strong><br />
<strong>and an inability to provide for our basic needs can feel like</strong><br />
<strong>absolutely fatal losses. But still, all in all, they are merely obstacles.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>In this battle, our thoughts and outlooks have to be realigned.</strong><br />
<strong>Giving ourselves a break does <em>not </em>mean giving up the fight.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>It's just a tightening of the belt, a restructuring of priorities...</strong><br />
<strong>learning to allow for our humanness. The added stress of beating </strong><br />
<strong>ourselves up or feeling 'less than' is not helpful or healthy. You are</strong><br />
<strong><em>more</em> than simply a provider; Accept that.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Situations change. Abilities lessen.</strong><br />
<strong>We have to stop trying to be superhuman <em>all </em>the time, and realize</strong><br />
<strong>that we don't win every hand. We have to cut ourselves a break.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Let go of the lost image, the expectations, the imagined gossip.</strong><br />
<strong>It is what it is.</strong><br />
<strong>We do what we have to do.</strong><br />
<strong>Survival isn't pretty, but it's of utmost importance.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*********************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-48822145649894687852012-09-06T09:13:00.002-07:002012-09-06T09:13:34.990-07:00Reminder Notes<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You are </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">STRONG</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">enough </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">to endure</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>absolutely</em></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Everything</u></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">that you</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">encounter...</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Even if </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">you have not</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><em>realized</em> </span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">it yet.</span></strong></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-68284239975261788532012-09-01T12:08:00.000-07:002012-09-01T12:08:06.831-07:00You Are More Than Your Past Limitations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKVdedsC4bL2Cx2o7_9CXO-wsFrxr0ODRZBZwNZhFI2bJl2Qcga9dw4ynpeyFVmWZXbC8PdDMpmjwsU_P6I84R5wDISqweDAmHMLLScvVwdul_CUfJhSrLqw0mQUZsFus9Uw624Op8BI/s1600/Recognize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKVdedsC4bL2Cx2o7_9CXO-wsFrxr0ODRZBZwNZhFI2bJl2Qcga9dw4ynpeyFVmWZXbC8PdDMpmjwsU_P6I84R5wDISqweDAmHMLLScvVwdul_CUfJhSrLqw0mQUZsFus9Uw624Op8BI/s1600/Recognize.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>Stamina's the thing.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>It may be 100 "No's" for every <em>one</em> "Yes."</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The changes in lifestyle may be drastic.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>You might need to endure 100 false leads for every one option </strong><br />
<strong>that even <em>leads</em> to a </strong><strong>second interview or shows promise.</strong><strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>Developing and maintaining Stamina, Fortitude, & Perseverance.</strong><br />
<strong>These are your jobs now.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Strengthening and developing muscles beyond what you ever </strong><br />
<strong>thought possible.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Don't take it personally.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Stay calm.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>It is what it is.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Transformation isn't for breaking you; it's for making you <em>stronger</em>.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*******************************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-6265639636278790432012-08-10T11:57:00.001-07:002012-08-10T11:57:56.320-07:00Eyes on the Prize<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfQIxkH8BXETMp9cknvUQBMgyxgkyHvD7Rc3mYL9ylzN7rlLYlHHI6ne2JdGhKMTHymcP6Xujst2KFDHgVp7Nh3dpniFHz8zz_D_tf_SyozedNoWocJXVuKydaYNYUQHlIWwyJ9FWf0E/s1600/imagesCAF18TPV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfQIxkH8BXETMp9cknvUQBMgyxgkyHvD7Rc3mYL9ylzN7rlLYlHHI6ne2JdGhKMTHymcP6Xujst2KFDHgVp7Nh3dpniFHz8zz_D_tf_SyozedNoWocJXVuKydaYNYUQHlIWwyJ9FWf0E/s1600/imagesCAF18TPV.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Don't let 'them' diminish you. During your Waiting Game, you </strong><br />
<strong>have to stay (or get) in fighting form, keep your spirits up, and </strong><br />
<strong>keep your eyes on the prize.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>You cannot be reduced to the sum of this bump-in-the-road,</strong><br />
<strong>no matter how often or how vehemently others attempt to do so.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Don't succumb to the lesser notions or the dimmer visions of</strong><br />
<strong>you that others all-too-quickly glom on to.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Keeping yourself physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally</strong><br />
<strong>fit may be harder than ever, but it must be your Number One</strong><br />
<strong>priority; even if work doesn't <em>come</em>, you need to maintain your</strong><br />
<strong>top condition and be prepared for whatever does.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Living well really is the best revenge, and it takes constant training.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>******************************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-28477011662754000952012-07-14T13:27:00.000-07:002012-07-14T13:27:28.366-07:00Begging and Choosing<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrLTNsyYu6M637kpTm0NkEsm-hz_mymjMxPt3HAlUor6lvemqAG8NKVByQPwO2czeEm9QzWEAuWMusmeWAU32lmuyFZ5VzifMXxeBDbZpsnB-NeZ_zhfEVgHk4jZYBvzFPjlb3cvmy1k/s1600/charity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrLTNsyYu6M637kpTm0NkEsm-hz_mymjMxPt3HAlUor6lvemqAG8NKVByQPwO2czeEm9QzWEAuWMusmeWAU32lmuyFZ5VzifMXxeBDbZpsnB-NeZ_zhfEVgHk4jZYBvzFPjlb3cvmy1k/s1600/charity.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">People have assumptions about both the giver--</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #990000;">and receiver--of assistance.</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Be sure to weigh carefully the actual need versus convenience of a</strong><br />
<strong>handout when accepting charity of any sort. Nothing is ever actually</strong><br />
<strong>free.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Unless you're truly desperate, don't open yourself up as needy or </strong><br />
<strong>in dire straits to those in charge of doling out the handouts.</strong><br />
<strong>(There's a difference between asking for references, job openings,</strong><br />
<strong>or being hired as a favor, as opposed to something tangible like food</strong><br />
<strong>or cash.)</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Everybody has an angle they're working and an agenda in mind, and</strong><br />
<strong>that includes people volunteering/working at a charitable organization.</strong><br />
<strong>For some, it's a desire to feel superior to others, for others, it's a want</strong><br />
<strong>of finding out the business of people in the community.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Sometimes, maintaining a psychological edge over opponents, </strong><br />
<strong>potential bosses, former co-workers, neighbors, etc. is a means of</strong><br />
<strong>keeping not only dignity but the upper hand for future business dealings.</strong><br />
<strong>Reputation still has its uses.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Just be aware of the dilemma and weigh your options carefully.</strong><br />
<strong>You surely don't want to end up the target of gossip, speculation, or</strong><br />
<strong>having your personal business bandied about town, especially in a smaller </strong><br />
<strong>community. There is no understanding of anonymity or common courtesy</strong><br />
<strong>requisite in any agency's dealings, especially a church's.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>In a small town in particular, it's easy to have folks fall in love with the</strong><br />
<strong>notion of labelling you a 'poor thing' or refer to you as 'pitiful.' </strong><br />
<strong>"His luck is so bad; don't you know I saw him down at the church </strong><br />
<strong>getting rotten fruit!" Avoiding such irreversible mindsets is preferable,</strong><br />
<strong>if you can help it.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>People will pigeon-hole you and write you off any chance they get.</strong><br />
<strong>Don't let them.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>(And of course the other side is "Fuck 'em <em>whatever</em> they think or </strong><br />
<strong>have to say!" But not everyone is ready for that!)</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>***************************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-89082163287212633962012-06-12T10:27:00.000-07:002012-06-12T10:27:53.936-07:00Kevin Renick Performs "Up In The Air"<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yHgD2C3H1XA?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<strong>Just caught this movie the other day--which was quite good, by the way-- and</strong><br />
<strong>it contained this fantastic song about the difficulty of being 'inbetween' jobs and </strong><br />
<strong>the psychological transitioning that takes place. Good stuff.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The movie on whole was quite good; not entirely joblessness related, but</strong><br />
<strong>it had a good bit of the plot dealing with how people take firing, and how </strong><br />
<strong>widespread a trend it has become. Some of the interviews and such were quite </strong><br />
<strong>good and relatable.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The movie did deal with reexamining one's place in life, priorities, growing up </strong><br />
<strong>fast, finding your own path, etc., so in many ways it's a great flick for facing</strong><br />
<strong>uncertainty, whether it be joblessness or middle age or other life change.</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_PbRMXRBN5L6aFsJP6RwuKh3Vb9ECgmWhyphenhyphenqNNqUlbK1821FFhA6uOsedxxK8WZYtVuk5ahbG1AYC_mtI547f-jYUQsMr9bMPUVcrc02hJG9-CTayVaOZFovHhlS8K68QFLsE_OnOVZw/s1600/upintheair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_PbRMXRBN5L6aFsJP6RwuKh3Vb9ECgmWhyphenhyphenqNNqUlbK1821FFhA6uOsedxxK8WZYtVuk5ahbG1AYC_mtI547f-jYUQsMr9bMPUVcrc02hJG9-CTayVaOZFovHhlS8K68QFLsE_OnOVZw/s1600/upintheair.jpg" /></a></div>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-46661045118068055852012-06-11T11:15:00.000-07:002012-06-11T11:15:09.288-07:00"Don't Get it Twisted"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszGtDIFF65SxXppB7ULF9R_nTex73wPBGXQfpfzxdMCD-vwMbG3vPEJUcqcYe41Bczg5ft1bzswReRqOB-a2spP7AU0FUq_6QPFZXF1RYrq0zHLXvPoVroMcP26n0L48qlzs1ZMuaG_A/s1600/imagesCA5SFH2M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszGtDIFF65SxXppB7ULF9R_nTex73wPBGXQfpfzxdMCD-vwMbG3vPEJUcqcYe41Bczg5ft1bzswReRqOB-a2spP7AU0FUq_6QPFZXF1RYrq0zHLXvPoVroMcP26n0L48qlzs1ZMuaG_A/s1600/imagesCA5SFH2M.jpg" /></strong></a></div>
<strong>The desire to self-medicate (or let oneself go) can be pretty</strong><br />
<strong>strong when so much of your world is spinning out of control.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The only thing left to do after countless, seemingly pointless </strong><br />
<strong>interviews, business start-ups, networking, and applying for</strong><br />
<strong>work can seem to be something that will make us 'feel better'</strong><br />
<strong>and, hopefully, distract from the harshness of reality. (Or, </strong><br />
<strong>in many cases, the surreal, <em>subjective</em> sense of 'reality' we are </strong><br />
<strong>burdened </strong><strong>by in our fugue state.)</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>You feel shitty on the insides, so letting the <em>outside</em> reflect </strong><br />
<strong>it (or not even noticing it's happening) can sneak up on you.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>But our obligation is to self, and health and care of self.</strong><br />
<strong>While short-term stress relievers can alleviate the distorted </strong><br />
<strong>image of ourselves we develop from constant rejection and</strong><br />
<strong>(perceived) failure, the long-term effects don't serve us in the</strong><br />
<strong>least.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>While I have maintained my sobriety and stayed clean from</strong><br />
<strong>drugs, the temptation to 'treat' myself with unhealthy foods </strong><br />
<strong>as a quick-fix comfort solution has been a difficult beast to</strong><br />
<strong>tame. And of course, bad eating habits spiral into bad sleeping,</strong><br />
<strong>bad body chemistry, sluggishness, and more. We can do</strong><br />
<strong>ourselves far more harm than good.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I find myself channeling the old Bette Midler skit; </strong><br />
<strong><em>"Why bother ?!"</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Same for being sedentary and not keeping our body in</strong><br />
<strong>shape, active, etc. We feel the effects of that. Our depression</strong><br />
<strong>may keep us from feeling a desire to participate, but our </strong><br />
<strong>knowledge of what's best has to rouse us from our slumber.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>It's basic, and easier said than done;</strong><br />
<strong>*Keeping up appearance and hygiene.</strong><br />
<strong>*Keeping active.</strong><br />
<strong>*Staying connected to people as much as possible</strong><br />
<strong> (or finding new contacts!)</strong><br />
<strong>*Moderate eating</strong><br />
<strong>*Keeping spirits up with positive activity, music, thoughts</strong><br />
<strong>*Moderate alcohol consumption (or abstaining if you have</strong><br />
<strong> issues.)</strong><br />
<strong>*And I would caution people to stay away from any drug </strong><br />
<strong> proclivities all together; between cost, risk of addiction</strong><br />
<strong> and dependence, and effects on work readiness, it's</strong><br />
<strong> just a disaster waiting to happen.</strong><br />
<strong>*Processing emotions through therapy, journaling, blogging,</strong><br />
<strong> online support groups, etc; Don't hang on to it all!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Sometimes the <em>act </em>of taking care of self has to be implemented</strong><br />
<strong>before we <em>feel</em> like taking care of self.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Treat yourself right and start today; whether or not the work</strong><br />
<strong>is forthcoming, you still have to live in your body!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>(And obviously, the better you take care of yourself, the more</strong><br />
<strong>likely hiring or starting up a business is, compared to the alterna-</strong><br />
<strong>tive of letting yourself go!)</strong><br />
<strong>******************************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-47868942305771924242012-04-23T11:48:00.000-07:002012-04-23T11:48:30.275-07:00Whatever it Takes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG8eUuRS6-YF_5u0_fkatHbwo3YteqiKJnGcP1bsvSRLz98bft6Fhrk8BwGGinrHTXSq9LfL9WwZjAf9uk-R6qwpzOQB5Wy2Rpkqxx3wYgu2kamLW9bcJIp6DtqA0O8v70jmGNEWbgi0/s1600/don'tquit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG8eUuRS6-YF_5u0_fkatHbwo3YteqiKJnGcP1bsvSRLz98bft6Fhrk8BwGGinrHTXSq9LfL9WwZjAf9uk-R6qwpzOQB5Wy2Rpkqxx3wYgu2kamLW9bcJIp6DtqA0O8v70jmGNEWbgi0/s1600/don'tquit.jpg" /></strong></a></div>
<br />
<strong>There may be lots of settling and falling short on the way to where you </strong><br />
<strong>want to be.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>In this new game, this new economic landscape, you may have to</strong><br />
<strong>take any and all opportunities that present themselves, no matter how</strong><br />
<strong>far from the ideal they fall short.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I have had yard sales, done temp work, done seasonal work that</strong><br />
<strong>was definitely outside my comfort zone, have worked under the table</strong><br />
<strong>3 hours a day, have worked one day jobs, and have been used as a taxi</strong><br />
<strong>in order to make money since losing regular employment.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I signed up and jumped through hoops to substitute teach, drove an </strong><br />
<strong>hour-and-a-half round trip in an unreliable vehicle to make it to a </strong><br />
<strong>minimum wage job (multiple times breaking down en route,) borrowed</strong><br />
<strong>money for gas, got work clothes from a charitable agency, and played</strong><br />
<strong>politics to get my ass asked back.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I have <em>started</em> more businesses than I can count, making blogs and </strong><br />
<strong>business cards and fliers to advertise them; pimping myself out as yard</strong><br />
<strong>man, jack-of-some-trades, babysitter, elder sitter, tutor, cook, writer,</strong><br />
<strong>and whatever else I can.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I have helped write papers for college students, consulted on a web</strong><br />
<strong>comic, appeared in films, done stand-up comedy, submitted my scripts </strong><br />
<strong>and poetry and articles, and done everything I can possibly imagine</strong><br />
<strong>to make ends meet.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>In short, I have thrown everything I <em>have</em> at the wall to see what will</strong><br />
<strong>stick. It's an <em>ongoing</em> effort and struggle to keep my spirit up and not</strong><br />
<strong>just lie down and give in.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>You never know when the<em> next</em> effort will be the one that sustains you </strong><br />
<strong>for </strong><strong>a little while longer. Which one may lead to something better in the </strong><br />
<strong>future. </strong><strong>It's not easy to find long-lasting or ideal; we may have to change </strong><br />
<strong>the outlook </strong><strong>and adjust the expectations and standards. Tough as it is, </strong><br />
<strong>you can do it.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*******************************************************</strong><br />America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-23354121648455743662012-04-19T11:40:00.000-07:002012-04-19T11:40:43.056-07:00'Hocus-Pocus' is another word for Bullshit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62LZNblTOpUQFlo9NPIziTiasaxBEpfh45aZsMNBJthfKSCEUue-IuN0Hb5tlOg8lUjOHsuv-DUhyUwhn5JSvTSSMVFlGJ_oqC6aa-pzQaiz0-ww9g9s-UEDM0KMxPa75_hdFux7-8FY/s1600/magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62LZNblTOpUQFlo9NPIziTiasaxBEpfh45aZsMNBJthfKSCEUue-IuN0Hb5tlOg8lUjOHsuv-DUhyUwhn5JSvTSSMVFlGJ_oqC6aa-pzQaiz0-ww9g9s-UEDM0KMxPa75_hdFux7-8FY/s1600/magic.jpg" /></strong></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's not magic...but there </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
are plenty of illusions!</div>
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>On the road to success (or the road to staying afloat, or the road </strong><br />
<strong>to making a comeback, etc) there are <em>always</em> problems.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>When you get to the bottom of the heap, the problems can be a </strong><br />
<strong>bit more constant and a bit more difficult to overcome, but that's</strong><br />
<strong>where ingenuity and stamina come in.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>When we're going through tough times, it makes other people</strong><br />
<strong>uncomfortable, and they do what they can to avoid facing that</strong><br />
<strong>discomfort. Which means that people are going to blow smoke </strong><br />
<strong>up your ass more so now that you're on a job hunt than they ever </strong><br />
<strong>did when they were trying to impress you.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>I guess there's about the same taboo associated with joblessness </strong><br />
<strong>and/or poverty that has always been associated with homelessness</strong><br />
<strong>or mental illness. People are really afraid that dealing with us may</strong><br />
<strong>lead to their having caught some or all of our problems. Social</strong><br />
<strong>Cooties, I suppose.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>The difference is also felt by 'professionals,' who plaster on their </strong><br />
<strong>fakest smiles to bum-rush you out the door as quickly as possible...</strong><br />
<strong>preferably without having to call 9-11 on our unstable asses.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>So, we are stuck with grinning and bearing it, not able to speak</strong><br />
<strong>our mind (and burn any remotely possible bridges)...no making</strong><br />
<strong>their predictions come true. We generally know, from body </strong><br />
<strong>language or intonation, that someone is insincere about returning </strong><br />
<strong>a call, </strong><strong>whether we have a shot at the job, whether someone has </strong><br />
<strong>any interest, </strong><strong>or if they are really going to put in a good word for us.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>But you find out really quickly that most people talk a lot of shit,</strong><br />
<strong>and you can't depend on anyone (even more so when you have</strong><br />
<strong>'nothing to offer' in the eyes of other people,) </strong><br />
<strong>I know the Georgia Department of Labor, a government operation</strong><br />
<strong>specifically designated to helping me in my job hunt, has been</strong><br />
<strong>lacking in the extreme, taking over 11 months on my case and </strong><br />
<strong>has as yet not finished my paperwork processing. This is due </strong><br />
<strong>fully </strong><strong>to their feet-dragging and endless demands of hoop-jumping,</strong><br />
<strong>which </strong><strong>I have obliged, while continuing to call them regularly and </strong><br />
<strong>diplomatically </strong><strong>inquire as to the progress on my case. Bureaucracy, </strong><br />
<strong>yes. But when you </strong><strong>have pull, things go faster.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>Have patience, and yet don't depend on anyone or anything but</strong><br />
<strong>yourself...but still go through the motions of trying every possible </strong><br />
<strong>lead </strong><strong>and every possible opportunity. You never know when it may </strong><br />
<strong>pan out. It could always leave a contact that could be good informa-</strong><br />
<strong>tion </strong><strong>or a lead later. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Do all the above board stuff, and also follow all the extraordinary</strong><br />
<strong>ideas </strong><strong>and measures. You have to attack this thing from all angles. </strong><br />
<strong>Do not p</strong><strong>ut all your interest in the say-so of anyone in authority who </strong><br />
<strong>says </strong><strong>they're looking out for you. Prepare for a worst case scenario.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>Don't stop trying. Frustration is a part of the game, but you are not </strong><br />
<strong>the sum of your experiences; you are the sum of what your choices</strong><br />
<strong>are in this present moment. Don't let circumstances dictate despair.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>Keep on trucking.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>***************************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-68507830321435261862012-04-10T12:02:00.000-07:002012-04-10T12:03:10.880-07:00Start Small<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLndPvhaMt5khOkzxTO313IZRlSGiSouyfSa_e-LZSHDQa5UcwehyGi4Xpa0iVUnM0Gwi1wib09RWqNVQrJdHAAe3zxH2pfS11xqjQDZIHuRlejkEGL-9mt2tarKh4QCyD2tNDNTKkxBs/s1600/stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLndPvhaMt5khOkzxTO313IZRlSGiSouyfSa_e-LZSHDQa5UcwehyGi4Xpa0iVUnM0Gwi1wib09RWqNVQrJdHAAe3zxH2pfS11xqjQDZIHuRlejkEGL-9mt2tarKh4QCyD2tNDNTKkxBs/s1600/stairs.jpg" /></strong></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Some days are tougher than others--</strong><br />
<strong>there's no denying that.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>When reality hits after waking from a </strong><br />
<strong>troubled sleep, and everything hurts....</strong><br />
<strong>when nothing seems to be going right, and </strong><br />
<strong>there seems to be no control you have over</strong><br />
<strong><em>anything</em>....</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Think Small.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Instead of getting overloaded and whelmed by</strong><br />
<strong>all that seems insurmountable, focus on what </strong><br />
<strong>you can do.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I pull myself out of my despair, and start by </strong><br />
<strong>making my bed. That's one task accomplished.</strong><br />
<strong>Screw how 'simple' that is; <em>I did it.</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Then I take care of the animals, clean up,</strong><br />
<strong>bathe, eat properly, pick out clothes, and</strong><br />
<strong>all the other things I <u>am</u> capable of doing and</strong><br />
<strong>I move through it. I check off the achievement</strong><br />
<strong>in my head and feel a sense of success.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I make a point to get out of the house with</strong><br />
<strong>at least a handful of tasks in mind.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Movement.</strong><br />
<strong>Activity.</strong><br />
<strong>Accomplishment.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>It may not be solving the big problems, but it's</strong><br />
<strong>better than sitting and dwelling on a sense of</strong><br />
<strong>hopelessness about the things that I can't <em>seem</em></strong><br />
<strong>to effect. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>When I feel better about the little victories, I'm</strong><br />
<strong>in a much better position to take on the more</strong><br />
<strong>daunting tasks, and the frustration that seems </strong><br />
<strong>inherent in them!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>************************************</strong><br />
<br />America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3430418924383665153.post-44888698802029541922012-03-24T11:42:00.000-07:002012-03-24T11:42:47.190-07:00Outside Looking In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGEoqOdN48q2z8S0hmHl4O3bScAzaQceHsMMuHkz3MBoxsvkAtWxDzPTlBLyYcX-t8buwOdHLL39YMKi3KaFzEAhRw7vz7NcI1WEE8_TUd1FkAjt6xj5IPKlIy3dBOSxhexvsYn0jdJw/s1600/imagesCA9TOTN8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img aea="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGEoqOdN48q2z8S0hmHl4O3bScAzaQceHsMMuHkz3MBoxsvkAtWxDzPTlBLyYcX-t8buwOdHLL39YMKi3KaFzEAhRw7vz7NcI1WEE8_TUd1FkAjt6xj5IPKlIy3dBOSxhexvsYn0jdJw/s1600/imagesCA9TOTN8.jpg" /></strong></a></div><br />
<strong>Nobody who isn't <em>here</em> understands the sense of </strong><br />
<strong>frustration and helplessness at not being capable of </strong><br />
<strong>finding a solution to your own problems...(yet)</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>....at not being able to earn your keep, or pay your</strong><br />
<strong>own way. At not having a clear sense of purpose or</strong><br />
<strong>an outline to your day when you awake in the morning.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>No matter how sympathetic and compassionate,</strong><br />
<strong>those not going through it don't feel the sense of failure </strong><br />
<strong>and disappointment in self...the sense and fear of not </strong><br />
<strong>being complete, or for we men, being a 'real man.'</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>No one knows what the crushing despair of not </strong><br />
<strong>having a schedule to adhere to, not knowing what the </strong><br />
<strong>future will bring, not having a sense of continuity will </strong><br />
<strong>do to you.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>And the longer it goes on, the worse it gets.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>You feel judged and 'less than' wherever you go, </strong><br />
<strong>as if the most basic task is something you can't</strong><br />
<strong>accomplish. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The job skills, and the people skills, and the interaction</strong><br />
<strong>skills all get rusty. Without use, nervousness and doubt </strong><br />
<strong>further sets in. </strong><strong>People keep asking if you haven't found </strong><br />
<strong>work yet, as if </strong><strong>you wouldn't be telling them about your </strong><br />
<strong>new job if in fact </strong><strong>you had one.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Do <em>they</em> have one for you? No, of course not. But they </strong><br />
<strong>still want to know all about it. Certainly you just haven't </strong><br />
<strong>looked </strong><strong>in all the places; they <em>hear</em> there are jobs out </strong><br />
<strong>there. Here come </strong><strong>100 or so questions to make sure </strong><br />
<strong>you've been giving it your all. </strong><strong>All old news. </strong><br />
<strong>All annoying as shit.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>You get your hopes up, they get knocked down.</strong><br />
<strong>Other less qualified folks get jobs you applied for.</strong><br />
<strong>Rude customer service reps keep their jobs, somehow.</strong><br />
<strong>What exactly are people looking for, anyhow?</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>You have less and less in common with other people </strong><br />
<strong>who </strong><strong>do work. They avoid you because your joblessness </strong><br />
<strong>is depressing </strong><strong>and they don'</strong><strong>t know what to say. If they </strong><br />
<strong>eat out, they're afraid you'll </strong><strong>mooch or not have the </strong><br />
<strong>money to go, so the invites stop coming.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Everything changes.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>So, everything changes.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Head high, no matter the feeling.</strong><br />
<strong>Best foot forward, no matter the frustration.</strong><br />
<strong>Faith in self, if nothing else.</strong><br />
<strong>Ask for help when needed; pride is a worthless virtue.</strong><br />
<strong>Reassess priorities.</strong><br />
<strong>Accept less than you were hoping for, if need be.</strong><br />
<strong>Readjust.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Survival comes at a price, but it beats the alternative.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Believe it or not, here comes a chance at major growth.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Get ready.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>******************************************</strong>America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0