MOVING FORWARD WITH HOPE
Taking action after suffering loss…
Jesus grieved deeply after he was told by his disciples that his cousin John was murdered.
He was in great sadness, struggling with the shock and then denial which comes from horrific news. His human reaction was to retreat and seek solitude so he could grasp what had happened and pray for much needed strength.
He said to his disciples, “Let us go off to some place where we can be alone.” He was also longing for the comfort of his closest friends.
“So they started off in a boat by themselves to a lonely place.” (Mark 6:31-32)
On their way they encountered a crowd who were “sheep looking for a shepherd.” Jesus put his needs away, preaching to them and as it was late in the day, they needed food. It is here where he worked one of his best known miracles, feeding the crowd with five fish and five bread loaves.
I wonder if we can recall a time when we put others needs before our own suffering. When we grieve the loss of a friendship, job or opportunity, our first reaction is to close down and take care of ourselves. Nobody blames us for this. And emotionally, it’s necessary for our health and survival.
But moving forward with the work which needs to be done is also part of the healing process. After getting that turndown for the job, maybe there’s value in getting back on the horse. After some processing, finding the courage to telephone or e-mail for another meeting or network contact can provide needed encouragement.
Certainly, address your loss, share the pain with others but also move forward with action. Job hunting is full of “no’s”–but you only need one “yes” to be successful.
TODAY…
As you anticipate hearing some bad news in your job seeking, what action might be most rewarding and healing. Write it down and be prepared to act on it when your next disappointment arrives.
Thomas Bachhuber, Ed.D.
President of the Board and Executive Director for The Center for Life Transitions. Tom is responsible for overall Center leadership and strategy. His individual coaching/counseling as well as workshops and retreats focus on integrating leading career development ideas with spiritual exploration. Read more.