Be grateful for what you have

[Jainarayan]

So yeah, I saw this coming... I’m not going back to work from my furlough. I’ve been out of work since Apr. 5. I’m getting unemployment benefits and the federal supplement but it falls short of my salary. Some people are actually making more being unemployed, because of the federal supplement. Go figure.

My boss called to tell me that my position and many others are being eliminated effective Aug. 1. From corporate to the stores to the distribution centers. I am (was) IT Sys Admin). I told her I saw it coming, though it’s no less distressing.

I’ll get 22 weeks full salary as severance, 1 week for every year of employment. The company has historically given 2 weeks per year. I guess this says how badly they’ve been hurt. I can continue the unemployment or if I get another job I can still get the severance... either way, it’s their gift.

I don’t think I’ll go back into IT. Forty years in total is enough. I won’t get the full Social Security amount because I’m only 63 (next month), it would be half my salary, but I could still get another job at the same time.

Idk, maybe I’ll become a mall cop to supplement the SS. I’d get to ride around in a little Fisher-Price car. And I think I’d look kind of sexy in a uniform (as long as I get one that fits right... most of them look like crap ). Or Lowes. I like talking to people and not sitting all day. I’m so ready to do something and try to feel good about myself I even get dressed just to stay at home. How sad is that?

Who knows, maybe my prayers *are* working, just not how I expected, and the Gods have other plans I’m not aware of. Krishna *is* known for his sense of humor and practical jokes. So many people whose lives are ruined by losing their jobs, businesses, savings.

I suppose it wasn’t enough to ****-can over 200 of us from our jobs, some of us with service up to 23+ years, our benefits have been terminated 1 month before our actual termination date. I got a letter today that benefits ceased on July 5. No medical, dental, vision, prescription or life insurance. But the letter did say “thank you for your service”. Uh huh. Paying for it oneself is all but impossible. COBRA is almost $600/month for single coverage, ~$1500 for spouses. The company has graciously offered to pay 50% of it for the first month. I think we can guess my response.

So, not looking for pity or sympathy, just giving a little advice from someone who has learned... appreciate what you have, no matter how insignificant it may seem, or how much of a given it may seem. Anything can happen to anyone at anytime.

The staff knows most of this and why I’ve been scarce. I’m afraid of unfairly lashing out. I’m on a really short fuse these days. My mind is just not where it should be.

“Frank just sits at home
‘Cause he’s got no job
Just plays guitar
And he cries a lot” - mangled lyrics from Offspring’s “The Kids Aren’t Alright”.

 

[dybmh]

Crying can be good... especially while playing guitar.

No one expects you to sing in key.

 

[ChristineM]

So sad to hear this, the consequences of coronavirus are painful and deep, not only for health.. Heres hoping things work out for you.
Best wishes

 

[metis]

No one expects you to sing in key.

At the church my wife and I attend, they have me singing at the end of the mass so everyone goes home.

 

[Secret Chief]

I'm sorry to hear this. Try to look for the gold amongst the ****. You don't necessarily see the **** till it hits you, and you won't necessarily see the gold either.

 

[sun rise]

Some people are actually making more being unemployed, because of the federal supplement

Which shows that their salary was extremely low in spite of many of them working at "essential" jobs.

The staff knows most of this and why I’ve been scarce. I’m afraid of unfairly lashing out. I’m on a really short fuse these days. My mind is just not where it should be.

Hopefully you can find a channel to express these absolutely natural feelings. I don't know what that would be for you. For me it's putting the feelings into physical labor that uses my muscle strength to demolish things that need to be demolished such as large dead plants that need to be dug out or tree/shrub branches that need to be gone.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

I hope the best for your situation. My guess is you will land somewhere alright. I usually try and view such things as the necessities for continued survival in our day and age. Instead of foraging and hunting we're seeking gainful employment so we can respectfully enter the grocery stores and buy the necessities. So, as always, you do no less than what you need to do to survive, and hopefully end up doing more than just surviving. And yes - always be grateful for what you have.

 

[sun rise]

I'm also mindful that you titled this thread with a message that I think you're telling yourself but which is totally valid for us all: Be grateful for what you have

 

[Nakosis]

So yeah, I saw this coming... I’m not going back to work from my furlough. I’ve been out of work since Apr. 5. I’m getting unemployment benefits and the federal supplement but it falls short of my salary. Some people are actually making more being unemployed, because of the federal supplement. Go figure.

My boss called to tell me that my position and many others are being eliminated effective Aug. 1. From corporate to the stores to the distribution centers. I am (was) IT Sys Admin). I told her I saw it coming, though it’s no less distressing.

I’ll get 22 weeks full salary as severance, 1 week for every year of employment. The company has historically given 2 weeks per year. I guess this says how badly they’ve been hurt. I can continue the unemployment or if I get another job I can still get the severance... either way, it’s their gift.

I don’t think I’ll go back into IT. Forty years in total is enough. I won’t get the full Social Security amount because I’m only 63 (next month), it would be half my salary, but I could still get another job at the same time.

Idk, maybe I’ll become a mall cop to supplement the SS. I’d get to ride around in a little Fisher-Price car. And I think I’d look kind of sexy in a uniform (as long as I get one that fits right... most of them look like crap ). Or Lowes. I like talking to people and not sitting all day. I’m so ready to do something and try to feel good about myself I even get dressed just to stay at home. How sad is that?

Who knows, maybe my prayers *are* working, just not how I expected, and the Gods have other plans I’m not aware of. Krishna *is* known for his sense of humor and practical jokes. So many people whose lives are ruined by losing their jobs, businesses, savings.

I suppose it wasn’t enough to ****-can over 200 of us from our jobs, some of us with service up to 23+ years, our benefits have been terminated 1 month before our actual termination date. I got a letter today that benefits ceased on July 5. No medical, dental, vision, prescription or life insurance. But the letter did say “thank you for your service”. Uh huh. Paying for it oneself is all but impossible. COBRA is almost $600/month for single coverage, ~$1500 for spouses. The company has graciously offered to pay 50% of it for the first month. I think we can guess my response.

So, not looking for pity or sympathy, just giving a little advice from someone who has learned... appreciate what you have, no matter how insignificant it may seem, or how much of a given it may seem. Anything can happen to anyone at anytime.

The staff knows most of this and why I’ve been scarce. I’m afraid of unfairly lashing out. I’m on a really short fuse these days. My mind is just not where it should be.

“Frank just sits at home
‘Cause he’s got no job
Just plays guitar
And he cries a lot” - mangled lyrics from Offspring’s “The Kids Aren’t Alright”.

Lang may yer lum reek

My company is among the essential, but still struggling. Been here 25 years. After 60ish gets a little worrying if you find yourself unemployed to find another job. Hoping I can keep with it until retirement. Fortunately, my wife is a nurse so there is always a need for skilled nurses. Crossing my fingers that we all remain healthy.

 

[Jainarayan]

Lang may yer lum reek

Fortunately my company is among the essential, but still struggling. Been here 25 years. After 60ish gets a little worrying if you find yourself unemployed to find another job. Hoping I can keep with it until retirement. Fortunately, my wife is a nurse so there is always a need for skilled nurses. Crossing my fingers that we all remain healthy.

Truth. It is worrying as we approach this age but have no desire to retire. This is a forced retirement. Four years ago when my company did an outsourcing of IT most of us on the list were over 50. I escaped that cut because no one did the job I do, the outsourcing company didn't have anyone either. But 4 years later... I voiced my concern that most of the people, with the exception of 4 or 5 out of 20-30 were older, and of course, more expensive in salary and benefits.

I'm also mindful that you titled this thread with a message that I think you're telling yourself but which is totally valid for us all: Be grateful for what you have

Definitely. I didn't appreciate what I had, I took it for granted. While I did see this coming, paradoxically I didn't think it would happen. I had a good work ethic, as my reviews and verbal praises showed... though towards the end my boss was being a little too oversolicitous... I had every intention of performing even better. I knew what I was at risk of losing.

 

[Jainarayan]

I'm sorry to hear this. Try to look for the gold amongst the ****. You don't necessarily see the **** till it hits you, and you won't necessarily see the gold either.

Truth. I'm looking at some options when the dust settles, and it will. I think the economy will gain some traction. Though I'm curious to see just how things shake out, and for whom. There are people who are making more on unemployment and the federal $600 supplement than they did working, so yeah, they want to sit on their butts at home. Good, there will be more openings for others who do want to work.

 

[Jainarayan]

Which shows that their salary was extremely low in spite of many of them working at "essential" jobs.

Yes, that's very true. Employers have always taken advantage of employees. At the risk of sounding bitter (I think I'm currently entitled to a little latitude ) there should be some way of calculating this, to level the field. But if wishes were horses... y'know. I don't wish anyone bad, though. Who knows what other people are going through that they see this as a deserved windfall. I generally begrudge no one anything.

Hopefully you can find a channel to express these absolutely natural feelings. I don't know what that would be for you. For me it's putting the feelings into physical labor that uses my muscle strength to demolish things that need to be demolished such as large dead plants that need to be dug out or tree/shrub branches that need to be gone.

We moved throughout April, so I was very physically busy. I'd load up the truck with boxes, run them to the new house, unload the boxes, go back home, rinse repeat every other day for about 6 weeks. I actually lost about 25 lbs. Yay me!

My temperament is kind of like a thunderstorm... maybe raging for a while, but then when it's over it's all sunshine and giggles. It's pretty easy to see when I'm about to explode. And by explode I mean just yelling, growling and stomping around. Never anything physical. Except the one temper tantrum I threw and threw my guitars in the dumpster. I mean, literally. I regret losing the 12-string though. I didn't really like the others. I got a new 6-string before this all happened. I guess I'll be waiting for the new 12-string.

 

[Jainarayan]

I hope the best for your situation. My guess is you will land somewhere alright. I usually try and view such things as the necessities for continued survival in our day and age. Instead of foraging and hunting we're seeking gainful employment so we can respectfully enter the grocery stores and buy the necessities. So, as always, you do no less than what you need to do to survive, and hopefully end up doing more than just surviving. And yes - always be grateful for what you have.

Thanks. Yes, you learn to adapt. What I didn't mention is that last Saturday coming back from food shopping my brakes failed. The truck is a 2004 Chevy Silverado with 289,000 miles. I've done my best over the 17 years (I got him in Sept. 2003 w/ 2 miles on him) to keep up maintenance. But after 17 years, the brake lines probably just went. Or some other component. I coasted and limped home, using the emergency brake. Fun times. But given that I don't have the money to fix him, he's sitting in front of the house. Fortunately where I now live there's a supermarket, our pharmacy, bank and such within a 3.5 - 4 mile round trip. I walked there the other day. Got some exercise in the bargain. Do I want to do this all the time? Nooooo. But now I can understand what people without transportation go through. I'll get the truck fixed sooner or later. So there are lessons to be learned.

When life throws lemons at you... freeze them and throw them at someone you don't like.

 

[Sw. Vandana Jyothi]

Hi, Jai'~
You have SO much knowledge to sustain you through these events, and devotion, too. God has not abandoned you and vice versa. Proof is in the title of your post, for gratitude greases the wheel of grace. Jobs, spouses, pets, homes, etc... these are all karmically fixed the moment your father's sperm entered your mother's egg. Stay calm, be alert, remain faithful to your path and your Lord. Your next steps will be revealed to you in due course of time, and that, too, will be karma. The trick is to remain poised while our karma plays itself out. You got this! OM shantih'.

 

[Vinayaka]

Truth. I'm looking at some options when the dust settles, and it will. I think the economy will gain some traction. Though I'm curious to see just how things shake out, and for whom. There are people who are making more on unemployment and the federal $600 supplement than they did working, so yeah, they want to sit on their butts at home. Good, there will be more openings for others who do want to work.

It's a very funny time. Some folks who don't need it get extra money, and some folks who do need it don't. (Good time to observe people) The world is upside down in a lot of ways. But I too figure the dust will settle. Best wishes.

How's your temple doing. Is it still closed, or partially open?

Our little Ganesha temple is open with restrictions. They need 5 volunteers instead of 1. Monitoring at the entrance, to fill out forms, and a ton of stuff, like masks and social distancing. I've been lucky as I got special permission back in April to continue along with landscaping. Grass and roses are immune to Covid. So it's actually been easier for me, with less distractions. I ordered the 7th truckload of topsoil an hour ago. We took out a bunch of old dead trees, and are fixing the original soil from 20 years back where the guy cheaped out on us.

If you were here, I'd haul yer silly behind over there and put you to work. Nothing like fresh air, exercise, and flowers to cheer you up, eh? Aum Sivaya.

 

[icehorse]

Man, that sucks!

Best of luck.

 

[Jainarayan]

It's a very funny time. Some folks who don't need it get extra money, and some folks who do need it don't. (Good time to observe people) The world is upside down in a lot of ways. But I too figure the dust will settle. Best wishes.

How's your temple doing. Is it still closed, or partially open?

Our little Ganesha temple is open with restrictions. They need 5 volunteers instead of 1. Monitoring at the entrance, to fill out forms, and a ton of stuff, like masks and social distancing. I've been lucky as I got special permission back in April to continue along with landscaping. Grass and roses are immune to Covid. So it's actually been easier for me, with less distractions. I ordered the 7th truckload of topsoil an hour ago. We took out a bunch of old dead trees, and are fixing the original soil from 20 years back where the guy cheaped out on us.

If you were here, I'd haul yer silly behind over there and put you to work. Nothing like fresh air, exercise, and flowers to cheer you up, eh? Aum Sivaya.

I guess you could say partially open. Darshan is by appointment, 15 minute blocks to space people apart. No communication with the priests or other devotees. I don’t know what kind of turnout they’re getting. If you miss your slot, tough luck, come back another time. For me It would not be worth it, with the distance.

I’d be there weeding and mulching so fast!

 

[Aupmanyav]

Who knows, maybe my prayers *are* working, just not how I expected, and the Gods have other plans I’m not aware of. Krishna *is* known for his sense of humor and practical jokes.

Krishna is working on something for you, Jai.

.. the outsourcing company didn't have anyone either.

Check with the outsourcing companies. Son got a salary cut, but we will survive.

 

[sun rise]

When life throws lemons at you... freeze them and throw them at someone you don't like.

My personality is more like "When life throws lemons at you... freeze them and then smash them with a 16lb sledgehammer yelling 'die, you damn lemon, die'.

I probably would not do it, but I confess the fantasy floated through my mind when I read that sentence of yours.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I would also do that. Problems of life do not bother me, having passed through both, good and bad.

"O son of Kuntī, the non-permanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed." BG 2.14

"O best among men (Arjuna), the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation." BG 2.15