Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...Turn and face the strange...Ch-ch-changes

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Turn and face the strange

Ch-ch-changes

-David Bowie (1971)

Thus goes the opening lines of the chorus of David Bowie's "Changes" (1971). I feel a small connection to Bowie due to the fact that we share a birthday. But more importantly, I feel connected to Bowie and this song because of its subject matter--change. One thing about Bowie was he was masterful at re-inventing himself (changing). At this moment in the world, acceptance of and embracing change is not only important, it is literally a survival technique.

What do we know about change and humans? Well we know that change is the only constant in the universe. We also know that people do not "fear" change (mostly a myth). What people fear is the unknown and the surprise factor that often comes with change. People are apprehensive and uncomfortable with change, which is different than fearing it. I have always said I believe people are like water and electricity--we seek the path of "least resistance". People like positions of "comfort" and "familiarity" and seek those out above the unknown or unfamiliar. Change often times presents paths of "more resistance"--less known, less familiar and less "comfortable".

Currently this path of "more resistance" (aka change) is smacking most of the human population square in the face. What we had all known as "normal" or "status quo" or "everyday" life is no longer the case. And when we emerge from this "quarantine", we will face a changed reality. The past will go and a new and changed reality will face us. 

What will this new reality look like? No one really knows (again the unknown factor that causes so much stress). Being both a historian and futurist by nature, I look at the broad sweep of things (this is called the Annales School of Historical Thought). Imagine standing on a hill overlooking a river. I watch where the river has been and where it is going. The river we now ride will take some unexpected turns, just as it has recently taken over a major set of rapids and waterfalls. The river we knew is in the past. We can only look forward and "turn to face the strange changes" as Bowie so elegantly states. 

I see people wanting to go "back to the way things were... ." The truth is that is not going to happen. We cannot turn back the river, nor time. We cannot undo the current situation. We can only analyze, understand and learn from it. That is why I love history. Our past informs our future. Try not to dwell on the past and what we have "lost". Think of this period as one of "metamorphosis"--we are caterpillars turning into butterflies. A more beautiful and freeing life potentially awaits if we let it. 

We will still have choices. We can embrace the changes presented to us ala Bowie or we can fight the changes and cause ourselves more angst and grief and stress. Personally I am trying to embrace change and see the positives and the "new" it can bring. Am I afraid? Not fearful, but certainly apprehensive as is expected and normal for people. I cannot say exactly what the "new future" holds. But my apprehension and desire to know the exact future will not hold me back from "turning to face the strange changes."

In the service of others...

Part of why I decided to bring this blog back to life was based on a request from my wife. She saw that I was getting discouraged and down at times while I conducted my current job search. She wanted me to see the good in things and the positives. She is wonderful at serving and encouraging others.

Over the weekend we made a quick trip down to our son's house. (Yes, I know the whole stay-at-home thing and social distancing). Following a storm a week ago a large part of the tree in their front yard had fallen down. It was one of the trunks of a multi-trunk maple. People who know me, know I am addicted to collecting wood for my woodworking. So we went down to collect a truck load. (Unfortunately there was no way for me to take the whole tree!)

While there we spent a few minutes (at safe social distances) conversing with my son and daughter-in-law. And it was here that I realized how great it is to have people who are willing to serve others. My wife had expressed that she is feeling like she has no place to "serve" at the moment (church, a local Bible Foundation, others). And while we spoke our daughter-in-law stated the same sorrow. Her passion is rescue dogs and the shelters that love and care for them. They have two Husky mixes that serve as our "grand-puppies" both of whom came from the shelter where our daughter-in-law volunteered then worked. But now, like my wife, those places are closed to serving and volunteers.

So part of my gratitude is for those who are serving. Whether it be those folks battling the virus (doctors, nurses, healthcare workers), keeping society going (grocery, restaurant, postal workers, and all the rest) and even our daughter who is a Funeral Director in Wisconsin (often forgotten about in the list of "necessary" people).

But my gratitude is also for those who regularly serve (when society is not in the midst of chaos). Those folks who take time out of their lives to give back. Not because there is money or fame or reward, but because it needs to be done. And they love it. It fills their hearts and souls to serve others. It gives them a greater sense of purpose and belonging.

I have experienced the importance of serving others in my own life by watching and learning from my wife. She has one of the biggest "servant hearts" around. She taught me how important and fulfilling it is to serve others. She taught me "service" does not come with strings or conditions. It is an act we do to please the higher powers we believe in and to bring joy and happiness to others. It is one of the selfless ways all humans should act. And we need that more than ever at the moment.

So to my wife, my daughter-in-law and all others that serve and give of themselves I am eternally grateful.

Renaissance Man

Finding a new job is hard. In a time of change, uncertainty, fear and even panic job hunting is very hard. I certainly had to adjust my expectations around the job hunt. No one is knocking down my door to hire me (how is that even not a possibility? LOL). I have had contacts and reach outs for which I am very grateful and appreciative. And I have been applying for jobs through online sources at the rate of about one per 2-3 days. But the reality at this moment is that companies are not just hiring. I understand given the current situation. I have worked to keep my hopes and outlook positive that decent employment is out there for me. My wife has helped tremendously, but even she is feeling the stress and enormity of the current world.

I had several interviews, some of which went well and others just okay. A hopeful opportunity did not progress because the interviewer and I did not "click". It felt like he was looking for someone to guess the answers in his head. He would ask a question, I would answer and then he would tell me the answer he was looking to hear. Pretty much a "no win" situation. I have the chops to do about anything I try. I am a Renaissance Man. But I am not good at mind-reading (no one is). That part of job hunting is the frustrating part. You have maybe 30 minutes to prove to a complete stranger how "perfect" you are for some deeply embedded ideal they have of the person they seek.

Back to the Renaissance Man thing. I have always thought of myself as a polymorph. I am "comb shaped" (very good at a lot of things--like fingers on a comb). Someone once said "Mike knows things... ." It is strange how things work. Before all the chaos of COVID-19, my wife took me to museum to see a travelling Leonardo da Vinci exhibit. He is one of my idols and historic favorites (along with Mr Einstein). He personifies the definition of "Renaissance Man". The way he thought and saw things. The way he explored and questioned and then learned. Da Vinci was never satisfied with what he already knew. He wanted more. I see myself in that same mode. And now we are binging on the "The Tudors" about Henry VIII and his wives (set at the beginning of the English Renaissance).

So when it comes to finding a new job, I find myself challenged and not a bit frustrated. Why do people not give me a chance? I can do the posted jobs if someone were to just take the small risk. I know some people see it as a big risk hiring an unknown or someone who does not fit their preconceived notions perfectly. But I see also (and have personally experienced) that people do not see it as a big risk to unload or terminate someone for whatever reasons.

The world is "upside down" right now (see my previous post), so I need to hope and believe that someone will take the risk and bring me on once things have steadied. I need to continue to be grateful and count my blessings for the things I have. Faith is important, especially at the moment. We all need faith, even a "polymorph" like me.

"The World Turned Upside Down"

Well, it has been a long time since I posted on this blog. But it is time to start up again.

It is now April of 2020. The world is in the midst of what is arguably the most impactful situation in decades if not centuries. COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus) has come to roost. But I do not want to make this about the virus. Rather I want (and really need) to express what is going on in my head, my heart and my soul because of COVID-19 and other recent events.

I have been without a job since Valentine's Day 2020. It resulted from some conflict between myself and my former manager. He did not like others questioning or challenging him. Regardless, it is what it is. I have been on the hunt for several weeks. There have been good days (for which I am thankful) and tough days. Today was kind of a tough day. I had an interview the other day that went okay, but not a home run. Found out at lunchtime that it is a no go. I knew that would be the outcome (my head) but it still hit me hard (my heart and soul). I fell into kind of a funk.

Fortunately I have with me my best friend and love of my life--my wife. She gave me hugs and said "It will be okay." She is my biggest fan and personal cheerleader. She believes in me like no one else. She sees in me what others do not. She is my rock. She is me and I am her. I am eternally grateful to the Lord for having her in my life.

It is hard to have a sense of being the "provider" and not being able to complete that role. I am worried and anxious and even scared. When I lost my job I thought, "I will have a new job in no time." Well 'no-time' has turned into six weeks and counting. I have some contacts and even some interviews (again grateful for those). I am keeping busy (woodworking, an online class, re-learning role playing games, etc). But my situation still weighs heavy at times. Like today.

The job hunt is made even harder by the ever changing situation in the world. The "normal" that pervaded for so long has gone topsy-turvey. Quarantine, businesses closed, huge unemployment, sickness, death are all quick becoming the new "norm". I am reminded of a point in the musical "Hamilton" (being the history nerd that I am). The singers mention an old British drinking song--"The World Turned Upside Down"--sung by British soldiers at the end of the Battle of Yorktown (1781). The opening stanza:

Listen to me and you shall hear, news hath not been this thousand year:

Since Herod, Caesar, and many more, you never heard the like before.

Holy-dayes are despis'd, new fashions are devis'd.

Old Christmas is kickt out of Town.

Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turn'd upside down.

British Soldiers Surrendering at Yorktown

Like the subtle suggestion in the song, the day turned out okay in the end despite the changing world. We went for a walk and got some fresh air. We have been open and honest with each other and talking about the current situation. I am sure a lot conversations these days are about recent events.

My wife and I spoke while having coffee this am. What will the future hold? I am not sure but I know the past will not be the future for "you see the world turn'd upside down."