These last several days have been tough ones for me. After sitting through a half dozen interviews this week alone, I still find myself without a job. I’m broke and frightened and I’ll admit, insanely depressed. One out every eight New Yorkers is unemployed so I know that I’m not alone in this struggle. I can’t help but feel miserable, though. I’ve been trying my best to keep myself out of this funk, doing whatever means necessary to make most of the situation and keep a smile on my face and in my heart. My friend, Courtney, wrote me a sweet letter recently and reminded me to think about all the things that make me happy. Life may not be going my way right now but I have plenty to be gleeful about…
I wake up every morning. It’s hard to but then, I remind myself that I’m given this privilege that a lot of people are denied. Yes, it might be hailing outside and bitter cold but I know that I need to approach this gift with sunshine and gratitude. Each new day holds a new promise and a new adventure- I’ll never know what happens but at least it’s happening.
My family. I don’t see them often but I love them very much. My mom surprised me with a quick trip into the city last week and made sure that I had enough to eat that day. My youngest sister, Jordan, writes me the cutest love notes, which I stash away in coat pockets and my purses to read whenever I feel blue on the subway. I know that my dad and stepmom are just a phone call away whenever I need advice, as well as my multitudes of aunts, uncles, cousins (and etc!) that are scattered across the country.
My friends. They say that friends are the family you made for yourself and I’m grateful for the ones I have, here in the city and those beyond. I can count on them if ever I get lost in the East Village and am jonesing for some crack pie, need a super long hug or getting my ass in shape with accompanying me to a complicated yoga session. Thanks to them and my family, I know that I have a lot of love around me.
Animals. The best thing about being unemployed is the free time I now have. I’ve been spending a lot of that time volunteering at the Brooklyn Animal Rescue Collation’s cat loft, petting some cuties and getting my tabby fix. It’s one of the few places where I can truly be in the present moment and think only about making the furball curled up on my lap happy and keeping him purring. Plus, my pets at home are equally awesome. Mobile and Birmingham are quite the snugglers.
Music. Come on- tell me who doesn’t love music? It always makes me feel better (even if it’s listening to Christina Aguilera’s “You Lost Me” for the eighth time in a row).
True, I have plenty of other things to be joyous about (and I keep that list lose always). And true, with a little patience and a little bit more faith on my end, I know that things will look up for me soon enough. I hope that you, dear reader, carry around such a list. If not, I challenge you to look around at the beauty surrounding you and ask yourself what makes you smile from ear to ear.