I don’t know about The Kardashians, the Housewives of . . . wherever or Basketball Wives . . but their reality is sooo uch different from my reality and the reality of most people I know. I’m not knocking the lifestyles of those that are featured on the ever-so-popular reality shows . . .I just wish they would find a better name for the shows . . .maybe . . . ‘Don’t You Wish This Was Your Reality’ Reality Shows.
Because my reality is that I am a wife and mother of five who is currently unemployed and living in an Extended Stay because I can’t afford to live in the house I have been renting since July. My reality is that my husband is also unemployed. But, it is not like we haven’t tried to find work. My husband has been in the culinary industry for over fifteen years. I have a B.A with an emphasis in journalism and almost ten years experience as a Youth Program manager. My husband established his own catering and personal chef business in 2001 and we have been struggling to make a name for the quaity services he provides. I am an excellent writer and have over five children’s books that I am itching to have published.
What we don’t have is money . . .the money necessary to make our dreams come true. Publishing companies won’t talk to you unless you have an agent which leads you to the option of self-publishing. This costs money! My husband’s culinary skills are ‘off the chain’ and should be shared with those that afford the quality services he offers. But it costs to be able to reach and provide for this caliber of people. I am an advocate for our youth and have some dynamic academic and enrichment programs for youth. But it costs to be able to offer these services to youth and their families. Our dreams and goals cost money that we can’t afford to give up when there are five children who need to be sheltered, clothed and fed . . .not to mention entertained.
We have filled out job application after job application and sent off resume after resume. When the internet failed, we committed to doing the foot work . . filling out application after application and dropping off resume after resume. But another problem we have encountered is that we don’t know anyone! Yes, one way to be successful in obtaining employment is ‘knowing someone in high places’. Because right now, the majority of the jobs are going to people who know someone.
And what is with people wanting to pay you the bare minimum . . . how can you accept working for the bare minimun when your job duties and responsibilities are long and so much is expected from you by your employer. . . when at the end of the day . . . your bills aren’t paid . . . ?
Unlike many unemployed . . . I don’t blame President Barack Obama . . .I don’t even blame George Bush . . . I BLAME MYSELF! I blame myself for not continuing my education and getting my Master’s in something . . . I blame myself for not seeking additional training that could be used in almost any industry . . .especially the ones in demand during these hard economic times. Hell, I blame myself for taking French in high school and college and not taking Spanish . . .
Is this your reality? Because it is my reality . . . Stay tuned for more testimony of my reality as God brings me in and out of the storm . . Watch how I keep pushing . . how I stay positive . . how I stay faithful and how I make it through . . . . When I finish with you all that other reality stuff will be a thing of the past . . UNREAL!!!!!!
