Three Words to Repeat when Unemployed
I wrote an article last week titled Time, Patience and Happiness: Tips on surviving a Job Loss. After I published that article, a weird, yet inspiring chance meeting in a doctor’s waiting room inspired me to write this article and to continue to document my unemployment journey.
Since I’ve been unemployed, I have found comfort in finding inspiration and signs that good things are on their way. There are not many days the universe sends in reinforcements in a doctor’s waiting room.
Last week, I was at the cardiologist with my Dad. First visit. Nothing serious (I hope). At first, I wasn’t going to go with him and decided to go at the last minute.
When we arrived, I entered the very small waiting room and I noticed a well-dressed older black gentleman sitting on the couch. Black fedora hat, white shiny shirt, dress pants, sparkly shoes — topping it off with dark sunglasses.
I sat down in one of the chairs across from my Dad. After a few minutes, I nod to the mystery man and he says, “You look like you love to read. You are a reader.”
Yes, I am! Especially since I have almost finished all 13 novels by Louise Penny in record time. I devour books.
“Yes, I do, you’re very perceptive.” I pulled out my eBook reader to show him. He told me that his father was a pastor and would read to him and his siblings. He said, his father wanted to give them the essence of the knowledge so they could build integrity in their lives. Once I told him I was professor (I didn’t tell him I was unemployed), he said that is why you glow. You have purpose. You share your integrity.
He continued to tell me about his philosophy on why readers have a lot of integrity. He then said I glowed with purpose and, “I can tell by the end of the year great things will come your way. Great things will happen to you.”
The mystery man continued to say, “I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe every person we run into is already set in time and place.”
I jokingly said, “How did you know I lost my job?” Knowing he had no idea I needed to hear this message at this time in of all places a cardiologist’s office. I had been struggling all day to try to put into perspective a job opportunity I feel less than enthusiastic about.
The older lady across the room (the waiting room was small — bedroom size) and she yelled after overhearing I was unemployed, “WHEN YOU LOSE A JOB THAT MEANS A BETTER ONE IS ON ITS WAY.” (Later, she also told me Meryl Streep and Robert Redford married after years of a torrid affair. When I told her she read fake news — she said NO, I read it on Facebook!)
I looked at them both and said, “Wow, this is like group therapy.”
The funny part is — my dad was not listening. The mystery man was talking very low and I knew my dad with his lack of hearing had no idea what we discussed.
Mystery man said he could tell great things are going to happen to me. He repeated I have the energy of great integrity and I glow. You have purpose. Then he said when you have a diamond it’s hard and resilient unlike glass that is breakable. Both are shiny, but one is fake and the other is natural and indestructible. He said, “You are the diamond. You have a greater purpose.”
His phone rang.
He stood and shook my hand. And said, “This was meant to be. You have purpose.”
He left.
Three words.
- You
- Have
- Purpose
Wow… powerful words.
An AHA moment.
I’ve thought about the mystery man since that brief encounter. One of my friends asked, “Did you follow him out of the room to see if he vanished?”
I was too afraid.
The words haunt you.
You
Have
Purpose
Are words I will never forget.
When you are unemployed, you often wonder “What is my purpose?” You feel as if people didn’t see your purpose. You feel as if you lost purpose.
Since that day, I thought deeply about those three words. Concentrating on how much power those three words have.
You (you’ve had it all along).
Have (you own your purpose).
Purpose (more than a job).
I have a Ph.D. I love my research. For ten years, this job gave me purpose.
I mentored students, I thrived on my student’s successes and their AHA moments. These moments proved my purpose.
I also knew I had my own purpose outside of the classroom. My research led me to the White House, The State Department, media interviews — all to help people better understand social media. These experiences allowed me to share my purpose.
Now that I am unemployed — what is my purpose?
I looked over at my Dad. I have purpose.
I thought about my book I’m writing. I have purpose.
I think about my friends. I have purpose.
I realized I have more purpose than JUST being a professor.
You
Have
Purpose
You have MANY purposes.
As for finding a job? Your gut and heart will find your purpose at the right place, at the right time, with the right people. The conversation I had with mystery man is a lesson.
You have purpose. Believe in yourself. Trust your integrity to guide you to the right place, at the right time, with the right people. You are more than…
Great things will happen because you have purpose.
A job loss feels as if you lost your purpose. Look around. You have purpose. You haven’t lost that purpose. You already HAVE purpose.
A new beginning is scary. And through that fear we lose sight of our purpose. Today, I was reminded that someone saw me. Mystery man saw my purpose without knowing my name.
How many people in your life tell you, “You have purpose?”
Not many right?
Write these three magical words down on a sticky note. Place the notes on your bathroom mirror, your computer screen, your dashboard, your refrigerator — I don’t care! Remind yourself that without a job, YOU HAVE PURPOSE.
Whatever that purpose is — trust your heart and your gut to make the right decisions. Trust that the right place, right time, and right people will enter your life. You have to keep yourself open to everyday inspiration — even if you find that inspiration in the oddest places. Mystery man might be right — there are no coincidences.
Keep your integrity. Keep your grit. Keep your joy.
A job does not define your purpose. Your purpose is you and what you give back to everyone you encounter.
During a hard time, like a job loss, remember NOT to let the situation break you.
Be the diamond.
