Daily Prompts

Blogging From A to Z Challenge – Y

/ Luanne Shernisky / 5 Comments

Beatles.png

Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone. ~ John Wooden

Blogging From A to Z – Y

“Y” is for “Yesterday”, the title of the Beatles song, co-written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and performed by McCartney in the video below.

“Yesterday” was voted the best song of the 20th century in a 1999 BBC Radio 2 poll of music experts and listeners and was also voted the No. 1 pop song of all time by MTV and Rolling Stone magazine the following year. In 1997, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) asserts that it was performed over seven million times in the 20th century alone. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

Youth is another Y word that comes to mind when I think of yesterday. While the song is specifically about the breakup of a relationship, my memories of yesterday entail much more. Not only do they consist of my own childhood and growing up years, but those of my children, as well. 

The photo above shows the youthful version of our beloved Beatles from yesterday and is on display at The Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, along with some of the suits they wore while performing. 

(Courtesy of:  Christian Alfredo Pinedo Gamarra – YouTube)

 

Blogging From A to Z – W

/ Luanne Shernisky / 5 Comments

Job Search 2

The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning you’re on the job. ~ Slappy White

Blogging From A to Z – W

“W” is for work, something I’m still searching for…

Job searching sure has changed; I needed to get up to speed on simply how to look for a job and all the resources available to do so, before I could even begin the actual search!

Today, the search and application process is mostly done on the Internet. There are websites (called job sites) that bring companies and potential employees together. They have cool names like Simply Hired, Indeed, and Zip Recruiter. As a job seeker, you can register an account with contact info, education, skills, etc. You can also specify what types of jobs you’re looking for and receive alerts (emails) that let you know when a position that meets your criteria opens up.

Gone are the days when you had to check the Help Wanted ads in the daily newspaper. The toughest part was making sure your resume paper was right-side up, so the watermark wasn’t upside down. That was fine if you were seeking employment in the same area that you were currently living, but what did people do if they wanted to move to another state?

I’ve invested quality time scrolling through endless job listings, filling out online applications, tweaking cover letters & the resume, and trying to learn all I can about this whole process.

I thought having a college degree would ensure a better place in the workforce, so I went back to school at 48, when my peers were starting to plan their retirements. The reason I did this and then left my own job of 18 years, was because it was low-paying, with no benefits or retirement, and no chance for advancement.

I relocated to Florida in search of more opportunities and to be near my kids. I thought having experience + the degree would make a difference. You know, being a mature worker. Sadly, I discovered something called “ageism”and suspect that might be at work in some cases. I remember when my dad was laid off after 27 years and how depressed he got. He sat in his chair and watched TV all day, bemoaning the fact that no one wanted to hire an “old guy.” I told him that was crazy; that any smart business would kill for a manager with his history and experience. He ended up at Walmart, taking orders from a youngster who didn’t have anywhere near the business savvy that Dad could offer.

I’ve even applied to jobs that don’t require a college degree, but no luck. They probably figure I’ll continue to look for something better and when it comes along I’ll be gone. And they’re right.

When I was young and had lots of time and energy, I didn’t make great choices regarding my career. I always worked outside the home and managed to raise three great kids. I pretty much focused on them over career aspirations, and have no regrets.

Some days I feel positive and others, not so much. I’m limiting myself to a small geographic area and that’s making it even harder, but I want to be near family. I’ll have to make some sacrifices as far as money, hours, etc., but we can’t expect to have everything.

Maybe I should do what I always joked about. I told everyone that I wanted to live near the beach and rent chairs & boogie boards to the tourists. You know, hang out all day with a clipboard, contemplate life, and possibly find myself.

Find myself a job that is…

Blogging From A to Z – V

/ Luanne Shernisky / 2 Comments

Virtue.png

They who disbelieve in virtue because man has never been found perfect, might as reasonably deny a sun because it is not always day. ~ Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare, Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers, 1827

Blogging From A to Z Challenge – V

“V” is for virtue, which is the opposite of vice.

As human beings we’re imperfect. We can strive to BE and DO good, but the reality is that we will never attain perfection. I’m okay with that; however, some people aren’t. They see their shortcomings and imperfections as negative things. But, that only applies if those failings are intentional and mean-spirited; directed at others or ourselves. This can apply to something as benign as eating the extra piece of pie, or more serious like spreading rumors.

We have free will; the ability to act at our own discretion. If we make an honest effort to live a virtuous life and avoid the vices, then we’re doing a good job. At those times when we succumb to emotions and poor thinking, we need to exercise compassion; for others, as well as ourselves. We need to acknowledge our mistake and make amends.

Because we all have the capacity for both virtue and vice, it’s my hope that people will consider both when forming judgements about themselves and others. Without seeing the whole picture we’ll have an incomplete view and our judgement will be skewed. 

And we’ll deny ourselves the opportunity to truly understand.