2012 More Grapes

I need to keep moving forward each day towards my grape soda moment. Because my goal has always been and will continue to have grape soda moments. There is preparation and research. A lot of hard work is ahead of me. But the reward will be great..

Next Steps

Each time you face some form of adversity there is a moment that you must realize the next step.  Taking that first step is the hardest thing you will ever do.  But taking the first step allows you to take the next step -- and then you are creating your own grape soda moment.  

My goals

For the past few months, I have been thinking about what to write about on my blog.  I could write about the first time I used the public transportation or my first visit to the unemployment office. I could talk about the meetings I have attended learning about the issues facing other leaders in the community. I could write about how I look forward to my doctor's appointments.

But instead, I am going to write about gratitude.  I am grateful to believe alive.  I could have died on 12/4/2010 and the same things that occurred on my last day at work would have still happened.  Someone would have had to clean my office, moved my stuff out of my apartment, and of course cancel my subscription to Oprah.  The difference is that I have been on an emotional roller coaster and all of you have assisted me in one way or another.  Friends that have driven me to appointments, called me just to check on my job search, text ed me pictures of cars-- for all of that you have shown me love and friendship.    The lesson I have learned is as cocky I had been with getting the position-- I had not done it  alone.

You have been with me-- you have been there from the beginning.  My grape soda moment is that I have to respect each of you.  And I realized that I am loved-- and it is my mission to make sure that each of you know it.

Words and their meanings

First of all, I must say I have appreciated my friends and family supporting me over the past few months.  Now, I must tell you of the few instances when people don't know what to say to you when it deals with your employment.   There is a pause and then a look of utter terror.  First they want to know what happened?  The second question is what is next?  

Which brought me to words and their meanings.  When you say to someone-- I lost my job-- what does that mean?  Were you at the park one day and somehow you and your job got separated?  Did I call 9-1-1 to report my job loss?   So that question has now made we turn to a thesaurus.   Here is the definition of loss:

be careless, be impoverished, be reduced,become poorer, bereave, capitulate, consume,default, deplete, disinherit, displace, dispossess,dissipate, divest, drain, drop, exhaust, expend,fail, fail to keep, fall short, forfeit, forget, give up, lavish, misplace, miss, misspend, oust, passup, relinquish, rob, sacrifice, squander, suffer,suffer loss, surrender, use up, waste, yield

I was trying to use one of these terms during one of these conversations with people.  Of course it feels weird for people to know for just one thing.  A position or job is the only reason people ever met, talked, or even spoke to you.  The "loss" of that status makes you humble.  I now look forward to finding the next job without having to call the police.

What movies can I watch over and over?

Tonight, AMC is showing Shawshank Redemption.  It gave me an idea of what movies could I watch over and over.  Some of the movies I mentioned were given to me by friends:

1. Shawshank Redemption-- pressure and time breakdown a rock.
2. Mean Girls---You go Glen CoCo
3. Aliens-- Newt!
4. A Time to Kill-- Picture a little girl
5. D.E.B.S--you in love with her
6. Love & Basketball-- I will play you for your heart

Just to name a few for now.  I just felt like sharing movies today.

Asking for help...

Over the past two months, I have learned so many different lessons.  Huge lessons!  Now I will be changing my focus of this blog from my former position I held  because there is still grape soda moments to come...

So what have I learned?  On 12/4/2010, I traveled down to Lincoln City to attend a co-workers' funeral but then unfortunately had a car accident.  This car accident stopped a lot of my active life but it did not stop my mind from working.  Yes, I have so many people asking about  me and sending me lots of love.  I learned to become patient with insurance companies.  My car was totaled so I have had to ask for help.  A car ride became a wonderful escape even for a few hours .  Asking for help is difficult for some of us.

But what does help look like?  Help could be taking a person out for coffee, going out to a basketball game or even bowling.  Help can come from a telephone call or   a simple email.  Help is everywhere but receiving it is difficult.

The Petty Cash moments have been few and far between.  But I am learning so many things about life.  There is so much to be grateful for in my life and I celebrate that everyday.

However, my plan of world domination continues.....  And I am asking for your help...

What is a grape soda moment?

When I first accepted the job at the YWCA Salem, I had spent alot of time thinking about my first day, my first week, and even my first year.  There are some moments that you have at work that can be challenging, upsetting, and downright fustrating.   But then there are those moments -- and I call them grape soda.  Grape Soda moments can be simple moments with a client who just stopped by to show you a picture of their new house. Or when a woman comes in to share her survivor story.  Its all those moments that makes me love my job.  Everyday I would like to open up a can of grape soda.  Everyday day I would like to share "grape soda" moments with all of my staff.  Lots of grape soda !!!

This week's grape soda moment involved appreciation of staff as we prepare for the two events coming this week.  So check us out at http://www.ywcasalem.org/.