As I write this I am enjoying another Stromboli in a restaurant in Philadelphia. They claim to be the inventor, and I would not doubt them because it is awesome. I always try to eat the local food in new places. Its a benefit of the job and I must say that occasionally this is a mistake, but 9 out of 10 times this is far better than the standard chain blah.
For one thing, you get to hear a few stories.
I am in the middle of a three week 20 teaching days in 21 days (the one day off is travel) stretch of 10 hour days and the sound of my own voice is getting on my nerves. But I love the challenge. The students are always people I am happy to have met and today we completed a CISSP class. Tomorrow they will take their exams while I take a train to DC and prepare for a new set of ECSA/LPT students. I also miss my family today, and that puts me in a reflective mood.
As I wait for my order and nibble at some garlic bread I overhear a conversation between the waiter and a regular, each have thick “Jersey” accents. I enjoy accents, and this one definitely has its own special character that seems to be in touch with living through both hard and good times. The customer says he just got laid off after 40 years at the same company.
My political beliefs about what the source cause of things like this are and the many debates I enjoy with my misguided friends that disagree are suspended for this moment. I would like to think that his experience would be good for something. So I am hoping to overhear some good news in this story.
In reflection I wonder that with all of the complaining I do about things that are beyond my control there is one thing I can absolutely do as an activist, as an evangelist, and as a teacher by profession. I can tell people every chance I get; "Pardon my bias; but one way or the other, please keep learning new stuff. Change it up, expand and live. Be available for challenges, sacrifices and changes. They need it, and you need to do it".
To be fair this can be a hard thing to do sometimes. I do not feel that those who choose a simpler life should be punished for it. There is always a part of me that frankly wishes for it on some days. And this gentleman, 40 years a wise expert in what he knew how to do will either have to find a new path or he might just get a job tomorrow with the competitor. I don't know. I never got to hear the rest of the story. But I cannot help but wonder, if at some point did he just stopped growing?
I have no idea if my conclusion is at all relevant to this man's situation or a reflexive response to the predicament I find myself in. But …..
My holiday wish to all; Stay curious. Learn new things next year and never underestimate your capacity to do so. Then next year, share what you know. In this world this is your only "job security".
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