2020 is a year that truly sucks for millions of Americans. COVID-19 has gripped a nation and drove the economy down. No, the economy does not have a gloomy outlook, but that has little healing remedy for the here and now among the unemployed. How does one recover? How does one cope when the job market is saturated with the destitute in the same situation? This is not a post on overcoming the fear and anxiety. It is not a post of self pity. There are plenty of those out there. Instead I'd like to visit what is it and the ramifications it has on the self and the family.
For many we have worked decades straight just to have 2020 happen. A humbling experience hardly describes it. Like it or not it is true that money makes the world go around. Sure there's love among mankind and pursuing the activism of climate change or even war. Still, let's be honest, the ability to support financially your family is what makes it all happen. For most we ask not for handouts. We do not ask for platitudes or sympathy. We only ask for civility, friendship and yes even networking (of friendship). There is nothing better to one under the bus than to have someone there comforting and talking you through it. I believe that's why a vast throng of population are on social media whether it be Facebook, LinkedIn or some other platform. Networking, yes. Finding a job, yes. But it is the undeniable desire to connect with a smile and friendly exchange that heals the heart in times like these. I believe it is that desire for not only the unemployed but also those who are affluent and comfortable.
Few things are more discouraging in the job market than knowing that you are among possibly hundreds vying for the same job. Hope and positive attitude become a scarce commodity in the chance casino of being the "one" out of hundreds marked for that job. Faith wanes even though you may "feel" like you are meant for that job you applied for. This leads to the next point I want to make. This point, in many ways, is more deadly than the financial consequences.
Health. There are no solid numbers to support it. We are all different and react to different things in different ways. However, I believe there is a measurable health risk that accompanies anyone who is unemployed. I think we can go beyond the obvious. There is the worrying of putting food on the table. There is the worry about mounting medical bills and if you are even going to keep your mortgage. No, I speak now of personal health.
Consider the saturation of the job applicants. In times of economic success, like last year, there is a marginal ease of spirit that you may be chosen for work. This I know because I experienced unemployment for the first time after 30 years of work. During any job search there is that roller coaster of anxiety and hope. Hope of when you send off that resume. Hope as you await an answer that they'll be impressed with your resume. And then to have yourself cut off at the knees when you get that email of "we regret to inform you" or "we've decided to go another direction." That is a devastating repeated action for the internal and mental health for anyone unemployed. If you've been there like me then you probably feel like going through the bubonic plague than that constant bounce.
It can and does mess with your diet. Some may gorge themselves with food. Others may be too sick to the stomach to eat and therefore start losing weight. Great changes come with unemployment.
Now, don't get me wrong. Having been the one to hire and terminate during a few careers in the past I understand that it can be difficult to let someone down in a satisfactory and compassionate way. In addition, management must be able to let it slide somewhat just to keep pace and sane in the world of business. Again, no blame on either side of the table, but rather the desperate need for that friend.
I write in generalities. I write about the whole of a people and rarely of myself. Yet, I will break tradition this once as it illustrates what I'm talking about. In a couple of sentences I'll say that I had to have emergency treatment in the middle of the night. I believed it was my heart but instead it was diagnosed as stress. For all the despondent the struggle is real.
I have been a writer and public speaker for the Constitution of the United States for decades. I thoroughly believe that each American is endowed with the right to pursue happiness. As a therapy to me as it is to everyone reading this that means utilizing faith and hope. It is the hardest thing to hold on to but we must believe it to be real. Our forefathers built a nation upon it. So can we.
In conclusion, this is not a blame post or pity post. It is a therapy post first and foremost to me AND to all people employed and unemployed. Sure, an extended hand of employment is great for any of us. BUT, the elixir that heals is the extension of the hand in friendship. A kind word and a direct message (DM) of hope and a jovial joke is what allows us to sleep at night.
Well, enough of this long post. However, I know it has done some good. Not that I have the ego to believe it has helped anyone else or even that anyone is as bored as to read all of this. No, it has helped me personally because I am putting it all down as record instead of bottling up inside.
Well......off to bed!
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