Today is, February 19, 2022, I sit at my computer – jobless! Difficult to believe that I am jobless. Just a reminder and for those who do not know. On December 22, 2021, I taught my last day of public high school music in California. On October 15, 2021, the district administration gave me directives to follow. Two of the directives, I chose not to follow:
- refrain from saying to your students “I love ya”
- refrain from using social media.
By not following those two directives above, I would have been terminated. I took their “threat” of termination literally. If you want to know more, please read Explanation of Retirement | Band Together (conductingmylife.com)
Since January 11, 2022, I have been without a job. Now, what to do?
As I pursue a job, I want to keep answering this question and share the experience with you.
I have applied to several positions for Bel Air / Raley’s (grocery store), several positions for Sprouts (another grocery store), an administrative position at the church we attend and an administrative position at a local charter school.
From the administrative position at the church, I received “Thank you. If there is a second round, you will be interviewed.” Glad to know I was good enough for the second round. There was no second round.
For the Raley’s grocery store in a nearby city, I did have an interview and on Friday, February 11, 2022, I received the “Thanks for the interview” letter.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, I did have an interview for the administrative position at a local charter school. I was not notified for not getting the position. I just saw it re-posted on a website. That gives me a solid hint … I am not the person they needed.
Now, things are getting even a little more interesting. With only $4,500 a month on retirement. No sign of a new job. No desire to leave California… YET! President Biden’s horrific economy for folks like my wife and me. Yes. I would say, things are getting a little more interesting and more interesting and yes, more interesting.
Now, what to do?
For the last several blog articles I have shared with you this website Bible Study Tools. I am really enjoying this website. In fact, not to sound narcissistic, I went to my previous blog-article just to read the Bible verses this website offered me in the continuing answer to, “Now, what to do?”
Today’s answer to the question is “Be Confident” When you visit their website, you will see they spelled “Confident” as “Confidant.” Interesting typo. “Confidant” is a noun and means, a person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it to others. Not being an expert in Latin, I would think “Con” means something such as “join together.” I do think Jesus is my confidant. My wife, Diana, is a confidant. I hope you have “confidants.”
Back to the question, “Now, what to do?”
From the website: Bible Study Tools
- A Verse to Be Confidant (Confident) “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
I love the feeling of a completed project. Sometimes everything feels undone and incomplete. Maybe you feel it too. There is sweet assurance we find in God’s Word that gives us the motivation to keep on keeping on. If you are feeling less than confident because things don’t seem complete or projects are not getting done, remember where your confidence comes from. When we don’t know how things are going to work out, we do know where to turn.
This last “no” for a job – stung! The difference between a honeybee and wasp! I was so hoping and confident I was going to get a yes. I had the desk picked out. I knew what artwork was going to be on the walls. I knew what books I wanted to read to the first and second graders. I WAS READY! Was the job a stretch for me? OF COURSE! Knowing the gravitas of this job (Principal / Headmaster of a school of 1,500 students/scholars) and to be ready for that first day of school in August, I was going to pour in all I could to learn what I needed be for the school community. To trust me with such an honor, I just didn’t make that case for the committee.
And therefore, my confidence is now waning.
My prayer: Dear God, what have I done? I mean. I was told there are hundreds / thousands of jobs available! My resume is pretty darn solid. Can barely get an interview for a grocery store. When I did get an interview, I didn’t get the job. An interview for a school as its principal / headmaster, I get the “no” due to lack of experience. As I see many others getting jobs with “lack of experience,” their no (again, job was reposted) turns my stomach. Am I too old? Am I too male? Am I too white? Am I too visible in my love for YOU?! What did I do God? Did I miss something? Did I misunderstand you when I said, “I cannot be a part of a profession that has decided to change from meritocracy to identity?” What happened?
Then, came a “simple” little thing in my life. A brochure. Yep! A brochure.
I have decided to focus on my John Maxwell Team (JMT)! Since 2019, I have been a “official” JMT member and since 1997, with my high school students and many high school students from many other schools, I have been using books / materials by John Maxwell.
The old adage is, to make money ya gotta spend money. Well, when money ain’t coming in, it gets a little more difficult to spend what ya don’t have (smile).
On Wednesday, February 16, 2022, I go to Avalon Print in Roseville, CA. Avalon Print & Graphics I hand them over the information for the John Maxwell Team brochure. I sit with Jessi (employee) and we start coming up with ideas to have some gifts for the participants. Coffee mugs. T-shirts. Pens. You know! So fun just to dream what that April 30, 2022, semiar will look like, as well as the April 29, 2022 seminar for TEENS (Young Adults) will look like.
Two days later!
I go pick up the brochure. I get this incredibly attractive / professional brochure. I get a lump in my throat. I did! I thought, “God! This is it! This is what I need to be doing!” I post the beautiful brochure on my personal Facebook page. Looking at the responses to the beautiful brochure and my excitement, I get less than a dozen emojis and maybe a comment or two about how nice the brochure looks. Felt a little defeated. Let down by the lack of excitement. I thought I would get more “love” from “Facebook Friends.” I expected too much. I was being silly. In thinking that my “Facebook Friends” would be as excited for me as I was for this new adventure was being childlike.
Then. Like a “hug.” From the JMT members … all these positive comments! Over 160 “likes.” And I am feeling like a kid or Sally Field at the Oscars, “You really like me!” The words of encouragement. How much the JMT members loved the story about our decision to go John Maxwell Team.
And now at 7:44am pst, I am sharing with you “Be Confident.”
Including me and I am not proud of it, people come and go! I do all I can not to be one who “goes.” Yet, at times, I am one of those who “goes.” I wish I could be a person to hang onto relationships and at the same time, I need to accept a relationship is difficult when it is 100 – 0. What we (music education) had that connected us (teachers / music teachers) is not there. Sorry. I am again being “childlike.” I am reliving that experience when I was a child and I started losing friends because our interests were changing. It hurt then and it hurts now.
God NEVER GOES! Meaning…God is always there for you and me.
When we feel our self-confidence is waning. Take a breath. Pause. Look to God and when a little thing such as a cool brochure or meeting a new person (Jessi) happens … THANK GOD! When people cheer you on, thank God. Don’t make it a cliche or flippant about it. Literally, thank God. Take each moment to fill in that crack of self-doubt / loneliness with God’s love.
In our lives to remind us, He is with us, God gives us events / moments, from a beautiful brochure to the birth of a healthy, beautiful grandson (Wyatt Reid Everts – February 12, 2022). God is our cheerleader. God is our CONFIDANT.
- Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) – Have I not command you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Proverbs 3:25-26 (NKJV) – Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, And I will keep your foot from being caught.
- Isaiah 32:17 (NKJV) – The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
- Acts 28:30-31 (NKJV) – Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
- Hebrews 4:18 (NKJV) – Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
- 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) – Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
I hope this helps one person today. If you are interested in helping support our first-ever event in Visalia, CA please visit https://bit.ly/3BuWjd3
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
If you are in Visalia, CA / have friends in Visalia or near Visalia, here is the information for our event:
April 29, 2022 – 7pm-9pm Cafe 210 SOMETIMES YOU WIN SOMETIMES YOU LEARN for TEENS Super SUPER important to understand… this SOMETIMES YOU WIN SOMETIMES YOU LEARN for TEENS is SECULAR. The material is focused for ALL TEENAGERS WHO WANT TO LEARN THAT FAILURE IS MEANT FOR US TO IMPROVE! Drink / Snack will be provided (Cost $10 – GREAT PRICE!) I will have copies of the book to purchase. The BAND TOGETHER-VISALIA Team is looking for sponsors. We want the cost for participant’s cost to be as low as possible! If interested in helping sponsor this event, please contact me at band2gether@comcast.net
April 30, 2022 – 8am Registration; 9am-3pm First Presbyterian Church of Visalia… Super SUPER important to understand… this John C. Maxwell’s: THE 15 LAWS OF INVALUABLE GROWTH is SECULAR. The material is focused for ALL PEOPLE WHO WANT TO INTENTIONALLY GROW! The church is in a convenient location and Cafe 210 (providing lunch) is right next door. The seminar will include a lunch / book / materials and you help provide the ‘GOOD TIME (smile).’ (Cost: $55 per participant … OR … $400 per table of EIGHT! The BAND TOGETHER–VISALIA Team is looking for sponsors. We want the participant’s cost to be as low as possible!)
To register for both events (helps know how much food to prepare and how many books / supplies we need to purchase) —– MARCH 7, 2022 at https://www.conductingmylife.com
If you want to go or help sponsor others to attend, contact me at band2gether@comcast.net or go to https://bit.ly/3BuWjd3 If you feel led to help support this event, we are looking for SPONSORS. Great way to advertise your business. Great way to share your HOPE for a better world! Thank you!
Final thought: if you are interested in hosting your own THE 15 LAWS OF INVALUABLE GROWTH (or one of the several other John C. Maxwell books, INCLUDING BIBLICAL BASED MATERIAL), let me know. This is my future. Would love to have you be a part of a great future for you and me! Go to https://www.conductingmylife.com