Circles go around in circles

On a cool Wednesday morning, I drove to work and entered in the parking lot. For some odd reason in less than five minutes, I found myself going in circles and seeing the park entrance twice before I finally figured out how to drive in the parking structure to park my car near the skywalk entrance at the hospital. I laughed out loud and sang the classic song by Atlantic Starr, “Circles, go around in circles…” I know I took this same parking structure yesterday and had no issue parking in a spot to easily walk to the automatic doors through the skywalk entrance but for a strange reason today, it didn’t go as planned. Same thing happens with our daily lives, things don’t always go like it did the day before or as we had planned. We have to learn to shake it off and let it go. We cannot worry ourselves over silly things, or get upset to the point it messes with our health.

While talking with a co-worker, he learned not to worry about everything especially things you have no control over and unable to change on your own. Too many times, we want to see things go the way we see it, but unfortunately, you have no clue what will transpire as the day expires. People may have attitudes, be rude for no apparent reason, or just simply ignore you as you walk by and say hi. This will continue to happen on and on no matter what you say, what you do, or even if you smile and be friendly. You will find yourself going in circles if you let this stick to you and try to figure out what is wrong with them. That is just it—it’s them they have to worry about, not you worrying about them. Oftentimes, we talk about these silly issues aloud trying to figure out why they have the attitude, when truthfully, we only need to check our own attitudes and exemplify the Christ that lives in you. If you profess to be a Christian, shouldn’t we walk by example by exampling love, kindness, patience like Christ to our fellowman?

If you are searching for jobs, we can feel the stress and pressures of finding work in this tough economy to be nerve-wracking, extremely competitive, and annoying. Everyone seems to be following the same pattern—searching on the Internet on popular career sites. There are hundreds of people seeking the same job opportunity with only one current opening. Sometimes, you see the same jobs posted month after month, or year after year, and seem like you are going in circles. When will this employment cycle end, and finally land a promising career or job with decent pay and benefits. I know, I’ve been there and spoke to colleagues or family members who are having the same problem. Yet, no longer can we go in person and fill out a paper application, then return to the manager face to face anymore. They will tell us a website, or hand us a postcard or business card with their site to apply for jobs online, or have a compact computer in the store to fill out the application there. I’ve learned, prayer does work and the more people praying and believing for a job opportunity, doors have opened for me that were once closed.

I’ve had recruiters find my resume online and contact me personally or via email, and started these temporary positions immediately for several months at a time. However, I still find myself going through the temporary job circular pot—pick a job, work the job, and back where I started—jobless. No permanent hire. I haven’t given up on me, or what God can do. Sometimes, these circles can press you to move forward in a new career, new challenge, or new educational opportunity that you haven’t considered before. The job market keeps changing and evolving, so you can also change careers or educational goals in the process. This can be a time to search inward, not just focus on outward. Keep the faith, and keep it moving!

Adrienna Turner can be reached at: