The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I'm really trying to stay present and grateful and hopeful that this new job in the old workplace will be different but inwardly I'm not believing it for a minute. I've been looking for another job elsewhere but after this experience I don't want to end up somewhere more dysfunctional. I want to make a good choice because we spend a lot of hours at a job. I've been exploring some online work and am going through a qualification process for that. I'm taking my time with that. I've run into a few technical difficulties on their end that's slowed the process and the training. I had to go through a few of the online tutorials a few times to understand them. I think I get it now. We'll see what happens. I would like to pass their exam and have the job. It would just be part time while I keep the job I've been rehired for where I work. I doing what I can to break out of this no escape box I've been delegated to where I work. My new job there is not the job I would have wanted but I'm grateful they gave me one so I can continue to have an income. I just don't fit with the new culture and the "mission" is gone. I think I'm going to have to become a lot more creative at this age because workplace are filled with twenty and thirty somethings who want to work alongside their peers. I would love to hear any ideas for work that would free me from the stigmatization of age. I've felt the online work I'm exploring might be one of those options. As much as I feel I'm working detachment where I work and understanding my value as an employee and person, it still is a lot to be up against this "you're old and not one of us" mentality each workday. So I'm wondering what kinds of work I might do independent of my current workplace. I want to explore new skill territory and grow. I also want to make more money and acquiring a skill set of some sort may bring that about quicker than waiting to be promoted or recognized by an employer. I'm wondering what would be some good options. Well at least I can give myself credit for doing footwork and networking. I am so looking forward to my vacation next week. It will be great to get lost in a novel, picnic, see friends and go for long nature walks with hp. I can sleep in too! :) Thanks for letting me share with you. TT
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
Good Luck TT - Trust HP and know that you are a talented, intelligent , creative, knowledgeable, professional woman who is filled with wisdom and common sense. HP will guide your Steps and open the path to a successful life.
Good luck, TT. I understand your situation...as we grow older the reality of what "aging in the workplace" means. To me, it means the institutions I have been a part of, are no longer a fit for me and there is the reality that we have to secure something to meet the realities of our financial needs. Making decisions to compromise those realities is sometimes tough. It sounds like you are a creative, wise woman who will follow the guidance provided. I know, for me, when I am in a place of fear for my survival, it is really hard to make choices that are more faith filled. I wish you the best
((TT)) Lots of emotion and change that can seem daunting. You've done a fantastic job of identifying your needs, and now you're taking the next steps to fill in the details. Where I've brushed up against the age situation thing, my "age" added calm, humor, and hopefully wisdom- I was not "one of them" but I, too, had a place of acceptance and respect. Wishing you the best next steps and more!
Oh, gosh, TT. I simply don't have any suggestions for you on this - especially considering that I'm leaving the workforce. Two things come to mind, however. A Joseph Campbell quote: "Follow your bliss," and maybe a company that is looking for true customer service people if you like doing that kind of work? Customer service is a dying art in my experience. There are some folks who understand what it means to be in customer service and I pay extra just for that sometimes. Neither of the thoughts I've had may benefit you, so I decided to change my avatar and send you a new look at some cute puppies although there are only two and nobody is hugging them. Maybe you can hug them with your eyes?
((((Everyone))) Thanks for sharing your insights, wisdom and support concerning this topic. It's very much appreciated. It just feels sad that despite changing with the times, keeping up to speed with changing technology and best practices, I'm delegated to the "old workers" corner. I've also taken care of myself physically, am active and haven't lost my curiosity and zeal for life. I'm angry about the unfairness of being stigmatized as an older worker but it's ok I'll find my niche.
Grateful, firstly ... cute puppies! OMG! I think you make a very good point about a person following their bliss. I'm trying to explore this while paying the bills at the same time. It may be time to find a volunteer opportunity reflective of something I really enjoy doing. I think that would allow me to make current skills that are now lying dormant at my current workplace. I do like customer service and relationship building very much. I've experienced tremendous growth thanks to this program and face to face meetings when it comes to first introductions and confidence when speaking with others. I had actually dreaded those face to face encounters at a former job and wanted to hide in my office. But practice practice practice and invited my hp to sit next to me at each recovery meeting and professional meeting has made me a much more relaxed person in that area. I actually enjoy public speaking which many people dread. Thanks for sharing with me.
PP, I'm realizing the world isn't going to behave the way I would like and unfair as it may seem, I'm going to have to roll with it, take what I like and leave the rest. I do need to have a bit more faith despite the obstacles. Ultimately, my hp will have the last word not the human decision makers. Thanks for bringing up the matter of money and how it plays a part in our decision making process as older workers. I'm going to do my best to stay in each day, keep sourcing my talents and skills, ask questions, continue to be teachable and work step 3 a little more sincerely. Thanks for sharing.
Hotrod, Thank you for your encouragement and the lovely compliment. I'm just going to keep working the program one day at a time and let my life continue to evolve. Although work is just a part of my life it's not the most important. Overall I'm reasonably content with my life and consider it to be successful. I suppose I would just like more interesting work and a reasonable living to pay just the every day expenses without stretching a dollar so much. I have no doubt that I'll get closer to that if I keep an open mind and show up with willingness. I may want it now but I know I'm going to have to be patient. It's going to happen in hp's time not mine. Thank for sharing.
Bud, thank you, yes... injecting a little humor can go a long way to help work situations go more smoothly. I agree about owning our rightful place of acceptance and respect among younger counterparts. Thanks for sharing.
TT
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
Love the idea of looking for a volunteer job you'd like. That is the way I ended up being hired to do what I love(d) doing! Glad you liked soft and softer with the black button eyes. I am glad that following your bliss is an idea that appeals to you, too, and that you find a work that helps pays the bills.
I'm on vacation right now and get to sleep in and sit by my friends pool. It is really nice to be enjoying life now. Take care of you and now that I'm 36 I have learned I really enjoy older wiser people that share their life experience with me. There is something to learn from others if only we can stop and realize others who have more time on earth can sometimes help us a lot, because each year I learn so much and see how far I've come. I appreciate you here. Sending you love and support on your journey!
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Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."
Grateful......... Girrrrllllllllllllllllllllll I'm still on vacation I did get my toes in the creek and listened to the waterfall nearby, read a book and watched tiny fish fighting the current. Hp sent me a litter visitor too. I had a homemade bookmark with a silk flower sticking out of my book and some sort of black winged moth with purple edges to it's wings came and landed on that flower and stayed awhile moving it's wings until it got bored and moved on. It was sweet. Hope you are enjoying your first few days of retirement as much :) Thanks for for thinking of me and asking about the job. I'm just going to savor this time off and see how things go when I get back. (((hugs))) TT
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
Oh, TT: I am sooooooooo glad to hear you are still on vacation. What a sweet experience that was all for you - that little moth coming to stay with you awhile. Your time by a waterfall, with toes in the creek with a book and some little critters all around you is relaxing for me just thinking about you resting and at peace. Yes, I am enjoying retirement. House is in order. Things put away. Laundry done. Everything done at a relaxed and easy pace. Wow! We're both getting a taste of heaven, sister, and following our bliss.
