Everytime I remember Michele Obama’s inspiring speech to the grads at the new UC campus in Merced, I’m of two minds. (But then what Jew doesn’t have at least two opinions about everything….didn’t Woody Allen say “I am at two with the universe?”)
On the one hand I know all the “Little Engine that Could” stuff…It’s great when you come up against an obstacle and overcome it. But what happens when you can’t overcome it? Is the only choice giving up?
How many people are there out there who are out of work and trying really hard to get a job? They’re doing all the right stuff: retraining, studying, moving, networking.
And how many people can’t afford their new house payments, even if they do still have a job?
And how many of us got to where we are (or at least where we “were”), by diligent perseverence?
Well, what happens when all your tricks and tools don’t work anymore? What happens is self esteem goes in the toilet. Except it’s worse than that. If you’ll pardon the metaphor, it goes in the toilet but you can’t flush it away…It just sits there and affects everything in the room. You start seeing the world through that “smell” of feeling really badly about yourself.
So it’s really hard to keep “trying” the old stuff…One option seems to be just to give up. To give in to all those voices telling you you’re worthless and might as well just go back to bed.
I’ve been there.
But I also saw the following different take on not giving up. It’s from the Dalai Lama:
“Never give up; No matter what is going on Never give up. Develop the heart; Too much energy in your country Is spent developing the mind, Instead of the heart. Develop the heart. Be compassionate; Not just with your friends, But with everyone. Be compassionate. Work for peace; In your heart, And in the world. Work for peace. And I say again, Never give up. No matter what is going on around you, Never give up.”
Hanukah is past, xmas is around the corner….go find someone to be nice to. Go find someone worse off than you…..You’ll be amazed at how many there are.
Tags: Dalai Lama, jews, jobs, unemployment, woody allen, work
March 3, 2010 at 6:42 pm |
Tony, I just read the above words. I can’t agree with you more. I just retired from being a social worker for 41 years and I’ve seen it all. Kindness, graciousness, empathy…have been the core of my work.
So old friend, I thought I would play with the computer today since I’m retired and can do anything I want. I hope you have had a life of goodness and love.
I don’t remember that we ever said good-bye…so long ago. One of my sons did his graduate work at Stanford and was chosen to sit with the Dalai Lama. He was absolutely quieted and moved by this beautiful man.
How fun to see your picture and think back to a million memories. Enjoy your work.
With Warmth,
Sue
March 3, 2010 at 10:14 pm |
amazing!!! it’s not my century but must say the internet is amazing….Glad you found this…I’m not being very good about new posts…Guess if I did then it would be a real job!
There’s actually a silly video I did also if you’re curious….on youtube under my name I think or jewswithoutjobs…Great to hear from you. My sister was just asking about where we got the dog that became so neurotic (do you remember Boris?…it was from your dog’s litter I think!)
So sweet about your boy with the DL….I tried to get invited to the MInd and Life institute’s summer convocation and was cordially rejected!!!
Be Well
tony