iGAP

All gaps are not created equal. Currently, I am in the throws of getting my mouth picked, prodded, pulled, and whatever else my dentist deems necessary to correct my teeth and gums. Admittedly, my gap is past "cute", but more importantly I'm anxious to maintain a healthy smile. The story behind my teeth is whole other post. No doubt I was social pariah throughout school and amongst my peers. Today, as a grown woman thoughts of rejection still rear its ugly head from time to time. However, I take solace in what I've learned from living with an outward imperfection. More often than not, our imperfections are used to against us. However, it also gives us humility, strength, perspective, and individuality. I used to hate my sense of self. Yet with age, experience, and even before surgery, I learned to love and appreciate the woman I've become: strong, compassionate, unique, and creative. I doubt that will ever change, no matter what I decide...

ToothFaerieCherie.com

THE ECONOMY IS AFFECTING EVERYONE...

The economy is in a slump but that doesn't mean you have to be. I know, easier said than done. It's pretty bad when a yuppie grad, literally wanders around Beantown posing as a walking and talking resume. Not a bad idea, but it made me wonder did he do it out of desperation or self-degradation. Perhaps it was a little bit of both. What can I learn from such a simple yet profound action?

MBA 4 HIRE: 

Robert Nims said, and I quote, “I didn’t go to a top Ivy League program. I’m not gifted.”1 It's like a breathe away from saying, "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!" like a bad rendition of Wayne's World. I'm no shrink but it sounded like a inferiority complex to me. Perhaps, his desperate attempt to get hired was an indirect result of a lack of self-confidence. It's a long shot but I dare to make the assumption. If so, he may want to rebuild his self-image or else the corporate sharks will smell his insecurity and eat him alive. Most of the country is gift challenged if you look at in those terms. I'm sure this wasn't what Nims meant when he made that statement but he surely put his self down. We know all know a higher education is better than nil. However, there are millions of talented/gifted people in the world who do not have an Ivy League education. I believe the culprit behind such a self-sabotaging belief are the elitist ideals our society upholds; it's ignorant and does more harm than good. That is if arrogance does any good at all (whether given or perceived). This is not about an Ivy League education. However, it's one of those things in life that affords one the invisible cloak of academic and/or professional superiority; the creme de le creme of society. I suppose it's the fringe benefit to the thousand atop of thousands of dollars it takes to attend any one of those institutions. Respect is due to persons who've earned their degree thru them but there's no reason to idolize those folks via putting them on a 'Better than me' pedestal. Fame is also the fringe benefit of stardom. Celebrities also get put on a pedestal and the expectations society puts on them are tough; its no wonder some go mad. Personally, I'm more interested in one's character than what's on his/her educational ticket or resume; but I'm no HR Manager either. I'm assuming on that cold day in Boston, Nims like many others in the nation felt disillusioned by the weak economy and all that came with it. Unfortunately, he told himself he was not as good as an Ivy league professional. Perhaps in someone else's posh mind you aren't up to par but worse case scenario is adopting it yourself.


The slumping economy has made me weary and desperate too. I've lowered my professional standards to keep my butt out of the soup kitchen. Any job is an honest living but I know my professional worth. I'd applied for a modest part-time, customer service gig at my local newspaper. It paid $7.50 an hour. Well, during the proverbial Q&A session, my interviewer (a Gov't retiree) casually clued me into the fact that some of my competition included not only undergrads but MBAs. I left an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach; not because I felt intimidated but rather disheartened. It was a the blatant irony of her statement; a straight-talk, "grass roots" confirmation of the failing job market from inside the doors of the oldest form of mass communication known to man! Nonetheless, I didn't get the job. Perhaps one of the graduates did. If so, I'm willing to bet my grocery money that as surely as I was bitter about not getting hired, they're just as bitter about working far below their pay & skill level. Those are not good feelings no matter where you stand in the pecking order. Fact remains, you gotta do what you gotta do in order to survive. We have more demand for jobs than there are positions available. So, whether your a High school or Harvard grad, either way folks are biting the bullet. However, the approach, getting that next job and more importantly doing well in it, or any other goals we might have depends on our own self-confidence. If deep down you don't think your worth it your inevitably going to ruin whatever situation you believe is too good for you. If you tell yourself you're not enough then when won't be. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. So, try not to allow yourself to believe in ignorant ideals and self-sabotaging beliefs. You are good enough for the goals you want to achieve in life. God gave us all "spiritual gifts" and in that right we are all gifted and talented individuals in our own unique ways. You also have the right to be and have a good life as just as much as anyone else! Keep a level head.


1 Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2008/08/18/daily51.html