I find myself more and more the last week or so reflecting on this year and what my experience has been. I keep going back to all that I experienced that NEVER would have happened if I had not been given the ‘gift’ of unemployment. For some who might read this, the question has to be how can unemployment be a gift? I too would have asked that question had I not been blessed by this ‘gift’ over the last year.

To explain just briefly how this time has been a gift, let me fill you in. I spent the first couple months after my layoff the first of February searching for jobs, trying to ‘force’ myself to get out of the house, which would require preparing to meet the public, and struggling to keep the walls from closing in around me. Many, many days I did not succeed and spent the entire day in my pajamas, surfing the net, looking for jobs, watching TV… not really accomplishing anything!! I had someone suggest ’strongly’ that I get to a networking meeting on a regular basis. I had gone to one a couple times, but did not have a good experience at meeting my needs, mostly emotional. I had searched for jobs enough that I believed in my abilities to build an effective resume and seek out the places to send it, that kind of networking did not feel helpful. While I believe in networking for finding jobs, my needs were not being met in facing the emotions and experiences of unemployment.

I came to Elkhart County Works Together (ECWT). The first meeting I came to was myself and one other person. I wondered if it was helpful or would be of help to me, just like the other meetings I had gone to. It wasn’t an easy step, but I decided to go a second time. This marks the beginning of my gift of unemployment in 2009! Through ECWT, I have gained so much that I can’t measure what it has all meant, but I would NEVER have made it through this time without the people of this organization. I have gained friendships that are priceless! I have gained a belief that I have gifts to offer! I have gained a broader understanding of people in need! I have gained access to a caring and understanding group of people who have cried with me, been excited for an interview, shared my sadness of no job offer, uplifted me in ways that I can not put into words, gave me a place to share my gifts and talents to work toward a common goal and now… despite the sadness of change and transition… are rejoicing with me in recognition of a new job for 2010.

Many times we have talked at ECWT how we can further help people who are unemployed or under-employed. And at times we discover that it is hard to help and assist people because we have not yet met them. It takes effort to make that first step out of my own space to gain the gifts that are out there. This is also part of my gift. I need to look beyond my immediate focus and be willing to open my hands for what people are ready and willing to share with me. If you know of someone who is experiencing un/under-employment, I would highly recommend that you suggest a contact with the people of ECWT. There are many exciting things happening within the organization and I will remain connected and FOREVER grateful for the people of ECWT and the gift that they have been to me in this time of unemployment.

I do not want to negate the people in my life outside of ECWT that have been gift to me also. These relationships have built over my life and continue to grow. I am connected with SO many people from all the areas that I have lived in and continue to be blessed by all that has been given to me. If you are an ‘old’ friend, please know that you remain a sustaining presence in my life. If you are a ‘new’ friend, I can only say that I am blessed that you have become part of what I hope to be a very long friendship and look forward to seeing that develop.

As we look forward to 2010, I wish all of you blessings. I am not hoping for unemployment for anyone to experience gifts that I have gained, but I ask that you consider what others are facing and how you can be gift to them. I pray that I will never lose site of the blessings and gifts 2009 has been for me and hold onto compassion for others in all that they face! Have a safe, blessed and joyful New Year!