A season of learning - Part 2

I've learnt a few things whilst having time off about how I've reacted to retrenchment and the various aspects that result from it....

• Money permeates so many areas of our lives.  It not only affects how we survive in terms of shelter, clothing and food but also how we socialise and in some ways how we are generous with others.  It also can be attached to our status in society...there were times when I was afraid I wouldn't 'fit in' or 'belong' given I live amidst a community that is quite blessed and well off in many ways, if I needed to adjust to a simpler lifestyle long term.
• Retrenchment may be a common statistic but it happens to real people.  There were times when I was reminded that there were 'lots' of other people in the same situation - at times it was a good reminder to realise I wasn't alone in my struggles, but at other times it wasn't great when people unintentionally reduced me to a statistic! Not receiving responses from many job applications does effect your self esteem no matter how hard you do try to remember it isn't something personal.  It's made me evaluate who I am as a person within and not to measure myself so much on my worth in terms of my job or how much money I earn.  It's funny how we can so easily measure ourselves and others on things that really not as important as we think.
• For those who do experience retrenchment, I think it's important to lean on God and family and friends.  Retrenchment is in the top 4 most stressful things that can happen in life - including loss of a loved one, losing your home and divorce.  I was quite proud and didn't want people to think I couldn't handle things on my own.  But in the end it was a great help to be able to feel supported and cared for.
• Prayer support has been so essential in getting me through this time.  Friends prayed for me when I couldn't pray for myself.  I believe it's the answered prayers of many who have sustained me during times I really needed it.