The Re-Adjustment Bureau

Because of comparisons and the materialistic, consumer-based,

competitive world we live in, many of us consider ourselves less

successful and less of a provider when we are unable to maintain

the same lifestyles we had before. But the physical objects and the

community standings are beyond insignificant in the scheme of things.

After you recuperate from the shock and the depression, lifting your-

self up and establishing your spirit, your character, your stamina, your

energy is what will make the difference in carving out a new life for

yourself.

Never giving in to despair and defeat no matter how hard the fight

or how steep the climb. Continuing to embolden yourself and stay

optimistic, someone that you can be proud of. Remembering that

you have value intrinsic to your existence, and it has nothing to do

with income level or how others perceive you. 

Recalibrate to understand that.

**********************************************

Please DO Readjust Your Set

Because of the trap of comparing ourselves to others
(and their success) and the materialistic, consumer-
based, competitive world we live in, many of us consider
ourselves less successful and less of a provider when
we are unable to maintain the same lifestyles as before.

But the physical objects and the ability to keep pace 
really are beyond insignificant in the scheme of things.

After you recuperate from the shock and the depression
of the drastic changes your life has undergone, lift yourself
up and re-establish your spirit, your character, your stamina,
your energy is what will make the difference in carving out
a new life for yourself.

Never giving in to despair and defeat no matter how hard
the fight or how steep the climb. Continuing to embolden
yourself and stay optimistic, someone that you can be proud
of, even if in a new context, part of a new paradigm.

Remembering that you have value intrinsic to your existence,
and it has nothing to do with income level or how others
perceive you.  Recalibrate to understand that.

*******************************************

As it Turns Out....We Got Turned Out!



That's okay....we got this.
(Well, it's not 'okay,' but..)

Just because the system is broken
and 'the odds seem ever (not) in our favor'
doesn't mean we're counted out yet.

I plan on surviving and doing well
just for the pure, undiluted spite
of it all.

Success isn't about bank accounts;
it's about quality and attitude of living
(And, no--one is not dependent upon the other.)

***



Word Imperfect

The catch phrase of 'combatting poverty' makes it sound

like a visible consolidated Bogeyman is hiding under the

American bed...that we can wrap our hands around its neck

and dispose of it with a concentrated effort of unity and

disdain...as well as some food banks and charity.

But poverty is not a demon or a haphazard plight; it is a

social evil that is perpetrated upon the less organized and

less skilled, the less educated and the less prepared.

Sometimes there are those who are introduced new to the ranks

as a result of extreme circumstances, but often impoverished

conditions are a lifetime struggle...almost always a multi-generational

affair.

It results from specific actions by specific people and groups

and the laws that are enacted by the same. Almost always

avoidable.

Poverty is a state of mind that feeds on itself, But its origins

are man-made and inexcusable. It is a serial limiting of

choices and the willful allowing of people to die unnecessarily

and prematurely.

It places a money amount on a life.

On a child's health.

On a mother's hunger.

On a man's worth.

Poverty doesn't 'just happen.' It's an orchestrated design,

thrust on the less powerful by those who are unconcerned

about the consequences of their actions.

It's an entire system in place that rolls forward like a

Sherman tank, and has the full sanction and blessing of

those who can not be defeated.

We can fight a war on poverty...

but only by addressing the causes and

instigators rather than putting a band-aid

on the end results.

********************************************

Saving Sense

Every little bit of conservation

adds up!

Tough Love

Are you depressed?
Tired?
Unmotivated?
Listless?
In Pain?

Well, get up off your ass , get outta the bed, and
find something to do, anyway. And if you haven't
been doing so, get out of the house.

Fresh air, interaction, accomplishment, mobility, and
change of scenery are requirements for keeping the
demons at bay.

I speak from experience when I say it's an everyday
struggle to keep feelings and circumstance from
doing me in. We can't be ruled by emotion or fears.
Make yourself get up, drill sergeant style.

Whatever it takes to generate movement.
Activity is crucial to feeling better and accomplished.

To start moving is a magical.
Survival begins with refusing defeat.
You don't need a long-term plan to just start moving.

*************************************

Who's In Charge of Your Workshop?

As a realist and a cynic, I see things for what they are,
not the feel-good facade often promoted. I see the world
stripped bare of pretense.

Sometimes, that harshness threatens to consume me.

When you're going a spell without work, when having nothing
of value to occupy your mind (or hands,) when questioning your
worth based on the normal tenants of what people in our society
are 'supposed' to have in their lives....things can get rough.

When you're an unemployed person--shifted out of normal
society as we are--separate, detached, lost...you can lose
your grip on the world very easily...and quickly.

We have to work overtime to make sure that doesn't happen.
Any or all of these tips that can help are ways to avoid having
the situation get to you.

*Occupy yourself; keep busy and productive
*Reinforce your best attributes; stop beating yourself up
*Surround yourself with correct things, not negatives
*Keep working on what's important to you
*Don't let yourself go; maintain hygiene and house cleaning
*Keep to a schedule
*Keep working on goals
*Do something body-wise like exercise
*Do something for your mind like learning a new word, language, etc.
*Do something spirit-wise, like meditation
*Do something fun or freeing, like laugh, dance, or draw

You may not feel like doing any of these things, but just as a
job is sometimes a means to a paycheck, sometimes in life we
have to do the groundwork for a better outcome, even when we
don't feel motivated.

Make taking care of yourself your new full-time job.

*************************************************

Sunday is a Day of Re-Set

Keep working at it; keep battling.

No concern for resistance, no attention to past losses.

A man--a person--is not a cumulative effort of losses.

Losses are things that happen, inevitable, normal.

Don't lose perspective because you're in the midst of one now.

Regain that moxy and verve.

Don't accept a secondary position of value in your mind.

Don't let the opinions and condescension of others alter your self-concept.

Be strong, motivated, proud, audacious.

Don't let the emotions lead you.

Feel them...without being controlled or led by them.

YOU CAN DO THIS.

***

"I´m Still Standing"covered by André Fuckert

Gary Allan - "Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain"

No matter how committed you are, there are days when you wake up
and just "aren't feeling it."

When you think "Why bother?" and bemoan your self-diagnosed
terminal condition of "Nothing is ever going to change, no matter what I do!"
And those are the days where you have to make yourself do it,
despite the feeling lacking.

When you have to remember whatever inspires you, like maybe
the words to a good song, and hold it closer.

"Feel the apathy, and DO IT anyway!"

Get up. Get moving. Get active and stay that way.

*********************************************************

Multi-Purpose Distractions

One of the great things I have found to serve as distraction/hobby is growing
my own garden. Not a small feat for someone with Zero experience in
such an endeavor nor a smidge of patience. But it did, excuse the pun, grow
on me.

Gardening has been a multi-purpose delight, offering me a distraction from
my troubles as it keeps my mind engaged and let's time wile away....as well
as providing a tremendous therapeutic release. It's also heartening to see the
fruits of your efforts appear and be of use...once again making me feel productive
and capable. And finally, it's a tremendously beneficial cost-saving measure...
and insurance that your diet will consist of fresh and healthy items!

You can do a makeshift greenhouse out of pretty much any space, or convert
a window-filled room of a house into a greenhouse. If you're especially handy
you can build a small greenhouse from predominantly recycled/reused materials
for next to nothing and in no time. The plastic sheeting would be the most costly
piece. (Free blueprints are available online!)

Here are some of the easy ways to get started, as well as benefits of doing it:

* Fresh fruits and vegetables, fewer trips to store, and without pesticides.

*Economical: Seeds can be purchased at the end of season (summer
   especially) from stores like Dollar General for 90% off--anywhere
   from .03 to .05 cents total.  (A great many of my plants I started from
   seeds I saved from product we ate; peppers, scallions, tomatoes, etc.)
   
* Same for soil and manure, marked down and affordable at end of season
   for stores who don't carry year round. You can also find piles of unused dirt
   and soil all over; generally folks will let you have it if you ask. See below
   for my recipe for soil prep.

* Easy: Not much space required, not a whole lot of time needed. Keep it
   small and simple until you get the hang of it. With indoor gardening, you
   don't have the animals to contend with, your crop will grow any time, and
   the weather is not a concern.

* It's about results, not aesthetics. Your shelves and planters can be made
   from scrap wood, plastic trays, reused garden trays, tomato boxes from
   the store, or whatever else you have on hand or pick up on the road. Soil
   can be mixed in used buckets, storage totes missing their lids, etc. Be creative.

* Environmental/Inexpensive: Recycle/refurbish/repurpose ANYthing!
  Other pots, trays, buckets, egg cartons for seedlings, plastic bottles to
   fill out the bottoms of large planters, newspaper for water absorption,
   milk jugs for watering cans, metal cans for small planters, and so on.
   You do not have to spend a lot of money to have an effective garden.

* Even the least handy handy-man can put together wooden gardening
   trays or basic simple shelves for your plants to be leveled and save
   on room.

* Anyone can do it. I had no experience, and I just tried some common
   sense things, learned by trial and error, consulted a few websites, and
   read a few books.
 
* Reduce household waste; Start a bin for refuse compost. Everything
   from coffee grinds to egg shells to ashes from fireplaces can be used
   in a garden. I till my compost in directly to the soil I use for new plants,
   letting it decompose while the seeds grow. Less bugs and smell this way,
   as well as work.

* Therapeutic: Something of your own, a space of your own, relaxing and
   a great time-passer with results to show. You're providing your own food,
   accomplishing something, saving money, and being productive.

You can even turn a profit if you have a buyer for excess, or barter your
overage with other folks who have things you need.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's my recipe for effective and awesome soil mix for new plants:

-30% top soil
-30% manure/Black Cow
-20% regular dirt from the yard, even clay or bad growing dirt
- 5% mulched leaves
- 5% per lite (water retention)
- 5% ashes; fireplace, burn pile, charcoal grill
- 5% compost material (Note; freeze your compost discards all along in a
   large Ziploc, then crush it apart and mix it in when making soil mixture in
   a large tub. Freezing will keep it from stinking until you have enough.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My method for prepping a tray/box for seeds/new plants:

1st layer/base: Put some cardboard at the bottom to absorb excess water.
   (Use anything such as food boxes or delivery boxes cut down.)
2nd layer; Plastic bottom; can be saved bags that top soil came in, what-
   ever works. I use the 'cat litter sifter bags' from the dollar store that fill
   the base of the tray and yet have small holes in them for water drainage.
3rd layer; Leaves to provide water-retaining base and extra mulch.
4th layer; crumpled up newspaper
5th layer; Lots of your already mixed batch of soil, patted firm.

Dig a small hole for seeds, place cover dirt lightly over and water.

Good luck, and feel free to ask if you have any questions!
I'll share more tips as I go.

**************************************************************

Sometimes it seems as if making multiple calls, never receiving
a straight answer, being ignored, and getting the runaround
are all 'job requirements' of my unemployment.

It's not uncommon to have folks be openly hostile, or never
return a call, a letter, or e-mail ever.

I'm already stressed and depressed and fighting  hard to keep my calm.
I certainly don't need condescending or incompetent or
indifferent folks (usually it's 'all of the above') treating me as
though I am a distraction to their day, when in fact they are
receiving a paycheck for providing me assistance. (Or rather,
they're receiving a paycheck for maintaining the illusion that they
are there to provide me with assistance.)

In a small town, you have a lot of 'gatekeepers' who get just a
little bit full of themselves, drunk on the power of whether or
not messages get delivered, resume's get handed in, etc. They start
to think their shit doesn't stink, and, furthermore, that you ought to
act accordingly.

Too bad there's no paycheck for dealing with all this circus, because
it's for damned sure hard work!

I am not, nor have I ever been, someone who is a people person.

I don't 'do' (mostly because I'm no good at it) the glad-handing,
baby-kissing, fake-ass manipulation of people that seems a necessity
for finding, getting, and maintaining even the most pedestrian of jobs.

Yet it isn't the public I have trouble with; it's the staff. The secretaries, the
coworkers, the managers, the owners; the folks who need to have their
assholes polished with other peoples' tongues in order for them to act
halfway right.

Then there's the nonsense factor that cultural and regional issues can
interfere with how folks act; no matter how sweet and kindly and pro-
fessional you are, some things like race, sex, age, sexuality, etc. are
not cottoned to by others, and your workplace experience will be an
uphill climb. Your personal business affects your job, even if you are
not the one to introduce it!
(Most people just can't get comfortable with someone that doesn't look,
act, or speak exactly like them.)

Yup, jobs are all about bureaucracy, bullshit, back-stabbing, bullying...
It's life. It's designed to break you; Don't let it.

***********************************************************

Dire Consequences

Beyond the economic pressures of being unemployed,
there are a plethora of physical and emotional aspects
where we need to be concerned.

The emotional strain of being out of work is a result of many
factors, not the least of which is having lost a sense of purpose,
a daily routine, structure, and even one's sense of self and
sense of productivity.

The psychological strain of not having a dependable and
regular flow of income, as well as the loss of face from no
longer being able to proudly state your job.

All these components work off of one another to potentially
worsen our overall health if they aren't monitored, addressed,
and worked on.

Continued stress and lack of sleep can cause heart problems,
stroke, mental distress, diabetes, and other ongoing issues.
Pre-existing conditions are worsened. The body is opened up
to illnesses as the immune defenses are lessened.

Depression may cause us to be less concerned about taking care
of ourselves, as all we are seeing is the immediacy of the dark
situation.

So, in the midst of all that troubles us, the best thing we can do
is to take control of the few (yet significant) things we can, such as:
+ eating as well as possible... not stress-eating or over-eating

+ getting sufficent sleep, meditating, staying calm

+ keeping up personal hygiene with showers, brushing teeth, and
   keeping your living quarters neat and clean

+ exercising, stretching out, walking, sex, using a punching bag

+ taking all medications and being vigilant with preexisting conditions,
   seeing a doctor if something changes

+ finding stress outlets like physical exercise, yard work,
   artistic pursuits, counseling, talking with friends, and letting
   the frustration out in healthy ways

DON'T just accept your troubles as unavoidable or overwhelming.
There is a lot you can do to take control of and exert your personal
power to maintain and improve the quality of your life. Take the
time and exert the energy to do so!

**********************************************

"When Mitt Romney Came To Town" (Full film)

True Gritting of the Teeth

Men are expected to carry their weight, be dependent on no one,
never show weakness or vulnerability, and carry the load not
just for themselves, but others too.

Even as options dry up and possibilities wither, much demand is
placed squarely on the shoulders of men.

For us, a lack of independence, a loss of our prior status quo,
and an inability to provide for our basic needs can feel like
absolutely fatal losses. But still, all in all, they are merely obstacles.

In this battle, our thoughts and outlooks have to be realigned.
Giving ourselves a break does not mean giving up the fight.

It's just a tightening of the belt, a restructuring of priorities...
learning to allow for our humanness. The added stress of beating
ourselves up or feeling 'less than' is not helpful or healthy. You are
more than simply a provider; Accept that.

Situations change. Abilities lessen.
We have to stop trying to be superhuman all the time, and realize
that we don't win every hand. We have to cut ourselves a break.

Let go of the lost image, the expectations, the imagined gossip.
It is what it is.
We do what we have to do.
Survival isn't pretty, but it's of utmost importance.

*********************************************

You Are More Than Your Past Limitations

Stamina's the thing.

It may be 100 "No's" for every one "Yes."

The changes in lifestyle may be drastic.

You might need to endure 100 false leads for every one option
that even leads to a second interview or shows promise.

Developing and maintaining Stamina, Fortitude,  & Perseverance.
These are your jobs now.

Strengthening and developing  muscles beyond what you ever
thought possible.

Don't take it personally.

Stay calm.

It is what it is.

Transformation isn't for breaking you; it's for making you stronger.

*******************************************************

Eyes on the Prize

Don't let 'them' diminish you. During your Waiting Game, you
have to stay (or get) in fighting form, keep your spirits up, and
keep your eyes on the prize.

You cannot be reduced to the sum of this bump-in-the-road,
no matter how often or how vehemently others attempt to do so.

Don't succumb to the lesser notions or the dimmer visions of
you that others all-too-quickly glom on to.

Keeping yourself physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally
fit may be harder than ever, but it must be your Number One
priority; even if work doesn't come, you need to maintain your
top condition and be prepared for whatever does.

Living well really is the best revenge, and it takes constant training.

******************************************************

Begging and Choosing

People have assumptions about both the giver--
and receiver--of assistance.

Be sure to weigh carefully the actual need versus convenience of a
handout when accepting charity of any sort. Nothing is ever actually
free.

Unless you're truly desperate, don't open yourself up as needy or
in dire straits to those in charge of doling out the handouts.
(There's a difference between asking for references, job openings,
or being hired as a favor, as opposed to something tangible like food
or cash.)

Everybody has an angle they're working and an agenda in mind, and
that includes people volunteering/working at a charitable organization.
For some, it's a desire to feel superior to others, for others, it's a want
of finding out the business of people in the community.

Sometimes, maintaining a psychological edge over opponents,
potential bosses, former co-workers, neighbors, etc. is a means of
keeping not only dignity but the upper hand for future business dealings.
Reputation still has its uses.

Just be aware of the dilemma and weigh your options carefully.
You surely don't want to end up the target of gossip, speculation, or
having your personal business bandied about town, especially in a smaller
community. There is no understanding of anonymity or common courtesy
requisite in any agency's dealings, especially a church's.

In a small town in particular, it's easy to have folks fall in love with the
notion of labelling you a 'poor thing' or refer to you as 'pitiful.'
"His luck is so bad; don't you know I saw him down at the church
getting rotten fruit!"  Avoiding such irreversible mindsets is preferable,
if you can help it.

People will pigeon-hole you and write you off any chance they get.
Don't let them.

(And of course the other side is "Fuck 'em whatever they think or
have to say!" But not everyone is ready for that!)

***************************************************

"Don't Get it Twisted"

The desire to self-medicate (or let oneself go) can be pretty
strong when so much of your world is spinning out of control.

The only thing left to do after countless, seemingly pointless
interviews, business start-ups, networking, and applying for
work can seem to be something that will make us 'feel better'
and, hopefully, distract from the harshness of reality. (Or,
in many cases, the surreal, subjective sense of 'reality' we are
burdened by in our fugue state.)

You feel shitty on the insides, so letting the outside reflect
it (or not even noticing it's happening) can sneak up on you.

But our obligation is to self, and health and care of self.
While short-term stress relievers can alleviate the distorted
image of ourselves we develop from constant rejection and
(perceived) failure, the long-term effects don't serve us in the
least.

While I have maintained my sobriety and stayed clean from
drugs, the temptation to 'treat' myself with unhealthy foods
as a quick-fix comfort solution has been a difficult beast to
tame. And of course, bad eating habits spiral into bad sleeping,
bad body chemistry, sluggishness, and more. We can do
ourselves far more harm than good.

I find myself channeling the old Bette Midler skit;
"Why bother ?!"

Same for being sedentary and not keeping our body in
shape, active, etc. We feel the effects of that. Our depression
may keep us from feeling a desire to participate, but our
knowledge of what's best has to rouse us from our slumber.

It's basic, and easier said than done;
*Keeping up appearance and hygiene.
*Keeping active.
*Staying connected to people as much as possible
   (or finding new contacts!)
*Moderate eating
*Keeping spirits up with positive activity, music, thoughts
*Moderate alcohol consumption (or abstaining if you have
     issues.)
*And I would caution people to stay away from any drug
    proclivities all together; between cost, risk of addiction
    and dependence, and effects on work readiness, it's
    just a disaster waiting to happen.
*Processing emotions through therapy, journaling, blogging,
   online support groups, etc; Don't hang on to it all!

Sometimes the act of taking care of self has to be implemented
before we feel like taking care of self.

Treat yourself right and start today; whether or not the work
is forthcoming, you still have to live in your body!

(And obviously, the better you take care of yourself, the more
likely hiring or starting up a business is, compared to the alterna-
tive of letting yourself go!)
******************************************************

Whatever it Takes

There may be lots of settling and falling short on the way to where you
want to be.

In this new game, this new economic landscape, you may have to
take any and all opportunities that present themselves, no matter how
far from the ideal they fall short.

I have had yard sales, done temp work, done seasonal work that
was definitely outside my comfort zone, have worked under the table
3 hours a day, have worked one day jobs, and have been used as a taxi
in order to make money since losing regular employment.

I signed up and jumped through hoops to substitute teach, drove an
hour-and-a-half round trip in an unreliable vehicle to make it to a
minimum wage job (multiple times breaking down en route,) borrowed
money for gas, got work clothes from a charitable agency, and played
politics to get my ass asked back.

I have started more businesses than I can count, making blogs and
business cards and fliers to advertise them; pimping myself out as yard
man, jack-of-some-trades, babysitter, elder sitter, tutor, cook, writer,
and whatever else I can.

I have helped write papers for college students, consulted on a web
comic, appeared in films, done stand-up comedy, submitted my scripts
and poetry and articles, and done everything I can possibly imagine
to make ends meet.

In short, I have thrown everything I have at the wall to see what will
stick. It's an ongoing effort and struggle to keep my spirit up and not
just lie down and give in.

You never know when the next effort will be the one that sustains you
for a little while longer. Which one may lead to something better in the
future. It's not easy to find long-lasting or ideal; we may have to change
the outlook and adjust the expectations and standards. Tough as it is,
you can do it.

*******************************************************