Last night I finished book number 2: Job Loss: What’s Next? A Step by Step Action Plan. It’s thrilling knowing that readers may use this book when they are facing loss of employment or, as I have recently done, begun retirement. There’s much to be said about John Ruskin’s statement: “In order that poeple may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fit for it. They must not do too much of it. And they must have a sense of success in it.” When we are gainfully employed, meaning there is some financial and personal success involved with the ongoing completion of tasks, we derive some sense of satisfaction. Perhaps it is in the altruism of serving others, as my career in teaching was. I loved the teaching part of my job–the preparation of materials, the drawing of connections for kids, the interaction with colleagues and students, and the competitive spirit of successes in academic and contest achievement. I derived a sense of fulfillment in those days. Of added benefit was the fact that there were never two days–or even two classes–the same, so each day was an adventure.
Now I face: “What will we do today, Dear?” On some days, our agenda is so busy I wonder when I had time to work. On others, however, the ennui and sense that I’m wasting an enormous amount of time feed my inferiority complex and attacks my inate Type A personality Puritan work ethic. I really don’t like retirement. That’s why I went back to teach for another two years until the politics and lack of appreciation of students who had no desire to learn chased me away from the professsion I love.
I understand and have great compassion for those who want to work and have been downsized, laid off, or can’t find meaningful work in this economy. I identify with their sense of loss. In the book, I’ve included the Maslow Hierarchy and Profiles of Personality, both of which reveal the psychological battles which ensue when one is under-or-unemployed. One can easily lose a sense of selfhood.
If you know someone who is in this boat, may even be experiencing times of depression, I know some of the answers. Pray with me that this weekend’s authors’ conference will allow me to get this book published for those who so dearly need it.
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