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Monday

Your Value As A Man

american moneyThis is purely my opinion, but I believe a man who works with his hands will always prevail over the man who is cerebral, unless the cerebral man employs the man who works with his hands.

When I first became a casualty of the new economy, as a result of my own actions, I was haughty. I knew my value in the workplace so there was nothing to landing on my feet and peeling out once the rubber hit the road.

Then things went in a direction no one expected. Joblessness surged. Despair exploded.

Right when all the job shedding began, there were plenty of other jobs that were still available and jobs that were recession proof. These jobs by their very nature require more elbow grease and less contemplation. Not that there's anything wrong with that at all. In fact, it may be one of the healthiest ways to be employed.

But when you have a couple of degrees and you see friends being successful (for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with you so there's no point even bothering to make comparisons) you don't dare do anything "less" than what you are "supposed" to be doing.

These individuals limp along avoiding opportunities left and right.

For a long time I was one of these people.

Now, by no means am I suggesting that you apply to Burger World and work the shake machine. But working at a waiter at a restaurant that has a vacancy might lead to a management position there. What matters is your attitude, your perspective and your willingness to be flexible.

To get a little metaphysical, a little Matix-ish, life is a construct that we all operate within. Those who succeed either know how to work or cheat those rules. Those who meet with frustration are the ones who insist on insisting that life bow down to them. This doesn't include socioeconomic status, opportunity, schooling, etc. I'm simply talking about people like me. Men (and women) who opted to pass on gigs for fear that said gigs wouldn't account for or make the greatest use of their value. And instead went after jobs that the other 35 million fish in the pond were after. "I've got to do for my family." I've said to myself in the past. "I have to make a certain amount." Well, making nothing sucks. Period. God has been peppering me with opportunities here and there, but only recently have I been of the mindset to receive them. Not desperate, but humble.

A while back I reversed course on this thought process and thankfully may be on the verge of a new chapter in my life. But I had to start turning my pages humbly in order to get there. I learned that my value doesn't lie in the style of contribution but in the determination and effort to be a contributor --- to this life as a whole and lives of the people who comprise my family. This determination may open doors that might not seem attractive at first. But in order to succeed for your sake and your family's sake --- you must walk through them. Otherwise you will need to accept that you are a victim of your own actions (or inaction).

Be encouraged, don't lose hope and do something you never thought you'd do. Who knows? You may even manage to learn something about yourself and the world around you.

Happy Monday!

Photo Credit: odtaafiles

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