Strategic Planning

I got laid off last week.... so I'm now in the market for a new job.  The title of this blog is strategic planning, which means I need to be smart about how I proceed from here. 

Employers google you.  Blind dates google you.  Strangers may even google you.  While yes, sometimes this blog is me ranting or complaining, it is also a place to explore new ideas or thoughts.  I just need to be careful about what I say.  I get that...

It's a beautiful day outside.  After I got laid off, I had this brilliant plan to buckle down and get my schoolwork done.  I still like that plan, and will follow that plan...just maybe not today.  Starting tomorrow, fall is coming, I know this.  How do I know this?  Because I looked at weather.com, obviously.

Today I need to spend some more time outside.  Tonight I can set up my apartment to be more conducive for studying.  This means putting my records and turntables in storage...so that my desk can be used for what it was meant for.  It means making a new calendar; one that I can use to be productive and organized.

I hurt my shoulder a few weeks ago, lifting weights.  I felt it get pulled/ripped out.  It was gross, and left my fingers numb/tingly for several days.  I've recently joined a flag football team.  My first game, I was never thrown to.  I was frustrated, but later found out it was because they knew I was injured and were just looking out for me.  Last week, I hurt it again, pretty bad.  I didn't cry, and I finished out the game....but dang it was painful.

I'm finding that it's extremely hard for me to sit still, not use my arm, etc.  I wore a sling for a few days, because I kept irritating it...but even just in the last 24 hours, I've overused and hurt it again.  Ugh.  I need to rest so I can heal faster.

So, in the span of 48 hours, I busted up my shoulder pretty good, and got laid off.  A few days before that, I decided I needed to focus on my running, and one way to do that would be to not drink any alcohol until my 10 mile race (October 2).  Whew...let me tell you, that descision was before the whole 48 hours of bad luck/fortune/reality came about.  I've stuck with it though (minus the one beer I had the evening of my last day at work).  It's amazing how much longer the days seem when there's no booze involved.  The cool thing I'm learning though, is there's tons of fun stuff to do and experience!!  Legit, I've been having a really good time lately, hanging out with positive people, doing new things, and generally feeling pretty good!

A few folks have commented on how well I seem to be dealing with all of this... but really, what are my other choices?  Be sad?  Be mad?  Where is that going to get me?  Nowhere.  I need to be proactive about my future.  I'm reminded of a quote.  "As for the future, your task is not to foresee it but to enable it." -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.  Seriously, so true.

I need to go.  I've got a few errands to run, and as I mentioned earlier...the nice weather isn't going to last much longer.  For those who are reading this...I hope all is well.  Life is a beautiful thing...even when it gives you lemons. 

Oh, lastly, I've been playing guitar a lot lately.  It's been really nice.  I've probably played more in the last 2-3 weeks than I have in the last 2-3 years.  Granted...it's not the best for my shoulder... but it's good for my heart, and my creative side.  Every now and then, I feel myself tapping into my artistic side.  This is a good thing...especially now, because it's not fueled by sadness, but rather a curiosity and energy to put something positive back into the world.