Sleep escapes me. I have a JOB interview tomorrow and could use it. However, I feel at peace. I write. Today I rode up beside a fellow on my bicycle for the purpose of intercourse, social intercourse as the word used to mean. Portland has a great bicycle system. For the life of me I fail to figure why folks who use it ride as if they still sat in a car. Portland, if you want to isolate, drive. If you want to enjoy relationship, ride. A bicycle poses few barrier between you and the person next to you. Why create one?
I found out that he worked at a restaurant. I told him that I had joined the ranks of the unemployed. I nearly choked on the words. Why do I keep saying that? The dictionary listed four definition of employed. Only one had to do with the exchange of money for services rendered. The other definitions talked about "employed" as the verb one use to indicate the use of time, talent, and energy. For example, "I employed my time reading and writing at the library."
Recently, I decided that I would no longer wait for someone to do something that I can do for myself. I employ myself. I have talents, time, and energy to use now. No one has to pay me to use them. I will not allow those precious commodities to waste and wane waiting for others to accept me as qualified. The deacon complained to the pastor, "Pastor, you're paid to be good. I have to be good for nothing."
I decided to volunteer; rather, I decide give my talents away to others who could use them. I can tell you this. I have had the best week of my work life maybe even the best week of my life. I have never felt so alive, so creative, so useful, so full of hope. In the best sense of the word I self-employed which I can tell you has many more benefits to the self-implosion I did prior.
I have eliminated the U word from my vocabulary. If one proves faithful in employing oneself without money, then employment with money follow. My needs will get met in a big way. Tomorrow, rather today is my birthday. This paradigm shirt truly ranks as the best birthday gift I have ever given myself or received from God.
So my advice to my dear readers, all five of you. If you find yourself unemployed. Un-unemploy yourself right now. You employ you. No one else does it for you. They only give you money. Good night P. town.
