I’ve been knocked out with a bad cold and laryngitis for several days, so I haven’t had the energy or ability to do much of anything.  People tell me “it’s going around” (isn’t that what “they” always say?).  This morning I finally feel a little better, though, so I wanted to jot down some things I’ve been thinking.

Despite my cold (and the cold outside), I’m feeling positive these days.  I had a phone interview last week and have another one scheduled for this week.  I truly feel that it’s just a matter of time now when an employer is going to recognize me and I’m going to recognize them as the one we’ve been looking for.  A silly, romantic notion, right?  Pollyanish, head-in-the-clouds stuff.

Maybe, but I still believe in a divine plan that God knows but I don’t; that with prayer and reflection on my part, He will steer me to where I am supposed to be.  (Please, non-believing readers, don’t flame me.  This is my blog and I will write what I think and feel.)

Not to go off on a tangent, but this reminds me of a fascinating tour I took just last weekend thanks to my parish, St. Catherine of Siena in Cedar Grove.  It was billed as a “bus tour into history” and our group visited several Catholic churches in the area that represented different historical and architectural/stylistic trends.

I was awestruck by one of them, St. Columba’s in Newark, truly the most beautiful church I’ve ever seen (in person).  Inside that lovely, spiritual place, I could feel that there is unquestionably something much bigger than you or me, so much greater than our daily troubles and cares.

It was inspiring and it gave me a clearer perspective on things.  It helped me see that life continues to unfold, but not necessarily on my schedule.  I have a stronger sense now that there are reasons, good ones, for where I am at this moment.

Veering back to unemployment, it’s so important to keep putting yourself out there, to keep getting out and being with people and talking about the work you’re looking to find.  This includes your friends and relatives.  You may think there’s no point, but how do you know that your Uncle Will or your friend Cathy doesn’t know someone who may be looking for someone with skills like yours?  A friend left me a message the other day in which she asked me to let her know what I’m looking to do because she has many contacts.  I sent her my resume.  You never know what may lead to a job.

And speaking of skills, don’t let yours get rusty.  One thing I’ve been doing to stay on my toes technologically is to keep playing with software.  There are free trials you can download so you can familiarize yourself with that new photo editing or graphic design program.  Or you can treat yourself and buy a new program that job ads keep mentioning.  If you can work with it at home, then you can add to your resume that you know how to use that software.

I guess I’ve been wandering a bit in this post.  But my mind feels that way today – it’s bouncing from one thought to the next.  For me that can be good because it can help unleash some new ideas.  So while I’m feeling positive and creative, I’ll get back to finding my next job.