LaTigresse
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Joined: 1/15/2006
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LadyH, yes I expect everyone to do whatever it takes (within the law) to survive.
Speaking as someone in management, responsible for running a company, hiring and firing.......a college degree doesn't mean much of anything. I've been through too many college grads. What matters to me is work ethic, a willingness to work, to get work done, regardless of what it takes, whether or not it is "part of their job description". I am heartily sick of degreed prima donnas that come nancing into my shop with their resume and degree expecting to land a job at the top of the ladder, with appropriate pay, yet haven't any idea of how to actually WORK. I believe they call them GenY.
Well, GenY, and all the prima donnas before are getting a wakeup call. Our children may not have it better than we. Big deal, compared to the generations before us, we've had it unreasonably good. We've become disgusting spoiled consumer junkies.
Myself as an example. The other day I was moaning that I needed a new chore coat, my old one is falling apart. The zipper quit working two winters ago, the hood no longer will attach, the lining is starting to desinegrate, etc. I don't have the extra $150.00 to run out and by a new one right now.....ohhhhhhhhhhh poor me! Then, later on I realized how truely pathetic that was. I stopped and thought about it, over the years I have accumulated at least 5 coats, not jackets like my two leather, or my LLBean canvas jacket, or my beautiful wool walking cape.....just super warm coats. And I am feeling sorry for myself because one is wearing out???? So, how badly do I really need a new chore coat? Not too badly obviously.
The other person here was whining about wanting a new flat panel television. We have a 19 year old 27inch tv that works just fine. We do not NEED a new television. Nor do we need more than one. How many people are still watching a television that old or have only one in the house. I remember when I was a kid, television was a luxury. The only times we had one where when someone we knew got a new one and gave us their old one. Usually black and white. Cable??? I haven't had anything other than whatever an attena could get until moving to the farm in 2001. The first 8 months of living here, there was no television watching except movies on VHS tapes.
No one needs 5 coats or television. They really are luxuries. However they are the sort of luxuries we've come to expect. We need to wean ourselves off some of our over inflated expections and focus on the real needs. Shelter, food, etc. And even more importantly find joy in the simplicity of needing and wanting less. Of uncluttering our lives.
Yes, I expect a college student to shovel pig shit if that is what they need to do to put a roof over their head and food in their gullet. A college degree without a good back story doesn't mean jack.
I am very glad I learned enough from my grandparents that I won't be the one sitting in an over priced house in suburbia, where I thought I would live the american dream, whining about the price of gas for the SUV I am still making payments on, that I cannot make my credit card payments, and any number of other jams people's over inflated sense of entitlement got them into.
No, I really haven't got alot of sympathy for alot of people. It's rather like when my son got arrested for something I knew he did wrong. I refused to bail him out of jail even though it killed me. He screwed up and he had to pay the price for it. He is still paying years later. I won't pay the fines for him, I won't help him get his drivers liscense back. It's up to him to make it right, and he is. Sometimes one step forward and two back but he is doing it. AND, he is alot stronger and more admirable a man for the lessons his struggles have given him. He used to be an arrogant ass, now I love being in his company. Among other things, he learned humility and the importance of defining needs versus wants. He learned how to work hard for his wants. Right now, he is working two jobs to fulfill his obligations and give his kids a Xmas gift or two. Heck, I am selling plasma to pay for my Xmas shopping so I don't HAVE to use the credit cards I am working hard to pay off.
But you know, it's not about me and mine. Some of us have been laid off, some have other struggles, health, poverty, bankruptsy, I could tell many of this type of stories just from the people in my life. The difference in whether some of them will survive and suceed is their willingness to do what needs to be done instead of sitting on their ass whining to whomever will listen, all while those that won't listen know it is their own poor money management and "live in the moment" ways that got them in the jam they are in. No savings account, no 401K's, nothing. They lost a job here, had a medical emergency there. Their piss poor planning becomes glaringly obvious. Yet they still expect to eat out, go to the bar and play on a pool league, feed a dozen animals they shouldn't have. I've no sympathy, because when they were given advice they ignored it because immediate gratification was more tempting.
We've become a nation of spoiled prima donnas. Until we realize that and quit the cycle, we deserve our tough times, clue by four to the head.
No matter how tough things get, I am confident of several things. I won't go hungry and I won't lose my home. I may however, sell a few coats on ebay. Hardly worn and quite lovely.
Edited to add...........And you won't see me here whining about my hardships because in my world, a computer and the internet is a luxury. One I would give up quite quickly, if necessary.
< Message edited by LaTigresse -- 11/17/2008 4:26:39 AM >
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My twisted, self deprecating, sense of humour, finds alot to laugh about, in your lack of one!
Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!
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RE: Buddy? Can you spare a job? - 
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