A friend recently applied for a job for which she was amply qualified. She is a well-respected professional in her field. I have known her for several decades and have engaged her services since the 1980s. She is reliable, knowledgable and, in fact, one of the few women in a male-dominated field who has a reputation of doing what she does as well as she does. In other words, she’s a really big deal. Any company would be lucky to hire her. When we last spoke a few days ago, she was waiting to hear about the results of the many interviews she had with this company. She was, as could be expected, both nervous and confident about her performance when sitting (at a distance) with the team who was asking the questions. As it turns out, they hired someone else. We haven’t spoken yet about their rationale. I know it has nothing to do with her competence or ability to deliver. I can only imagine her disappointment and I know, that as resilient as she is, she will bounce back and move on as she continues her current work and remaining open to new opportunities
A few years ago, I had the chance to re-apply for a job I had held for a year and three months. It was the ideal position as I could work from home (or the road) doing what I loved (writing) making more money than I ever had. Because of budget cuts, 1/3 of our team was laid off. I rebounded, picked up freelance writing gigs and went back to work as a therapist. I then received an email from my former supervisor who had initially solicited my application back in 2014 after she read my blogs online as she told me that the position was open again and she asked me to toss my hat into the ring with a pretty good chance I would be back on their payroll. Such a relief, since with that job, financial pressures would ease and I would have the luxury of the life I led for the time I worked for the company. It included traveling, saving, donating more to charities, and feeling free to use the rest as I saw fit. Back and forth negotiations, messages, and prayers ensued. I kept thinking I had it in the bag until she let me know with regret, that they had chosen someone from outside the company. She assured me it had nothing to do with my talent or work ethic since both were impeccable and if it were up to her, I would have been hired. Thud! Another WTF? moment. I have come to believe that WTF? is a deeply spiritual question.
Both of these situations have me scratching my head questioning why we would have been presented the opportunities only to have them pulled away. Wouldn’t it have been easier if they weren’t there in the first place? I can’t speak for my friend, but for me, it feels like a tease. Was it to show me what is possible? Was it a way of saying that I was wanted and had what it took? A footnote is that this company filed for bankruptcy last year, so in some ways, it was a blessing not to have been rehired.
I can fight what is, kicking and screaming. I can accept what is. I can move forward, curious about what is on the other side of the next door I am approaching. I am ready to cross that threshold, trusting that “this or something better,” awaits.
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