Want to torque off half the Birmingham population? Start your blog post with a nonchalant yoga title.
The post title relates to how I feel about attending yoga classes in public. I’m a bigger gal and I have pretty limited flexibility compared to other yogis I know. I know we’re not there to compare ourselves to others, but it’s inevitable as a woman (unfortunately). I’ve attended a few yoga and other classes where I got a lot out of it, but I was self conscious the whole time. The instructors were great, but I am automatically self conscious and want to melt into the floor.
My most recently foray into this was a tai-chi type class. It was quite small, but wonderful and exactly what I had hoped it would be…until the instructor changed directions. After being invisible in the back of the class, we turned and I was in the front. No, no, no, no..not for a first timer. I was pretrified. I will never do that again.
So, my question for all of you: How do you deal with being a newbie at something, but wanting to give it an honest and thoughtful try without intimidation clouding the experience? What are your tricks for overcoming that initial terror, especially when you may not be the typical student? Ideas and tips welcome!
One Roof, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Central Alabama, hosted a homeless simulation in Railroad Park last Thursday evening. When I arrived, I wasn’t sure what to expect and when I left, I was nearly in tears. Each participant that showed up received a number. Based on our number, we gathered into groups where we were each given an “identification card” that told us who we were and what our circumstances were (why we were homeless). On the flip side of the card were things we needed to do in order to survive the day/night. We had 35 minutes to get 3 meals, a source of income – whether it was employment or disability – , and find a safe place to sleep that evening.
As you can see from my card, I was a veteran suffering from PTSD resulting in violent outbursts. Because of my past, I was turned down for all 5 jobs I applied for that evening. I also wasn’t allowed to stay in the women’s shelter because of my criminal past (I was arrested for throwing something at a co-worker in a federal office). I saw people rob each other, yell and fight with each other, and get arrested – all while I was just standing in line to try to get SSDI.
I was stunned at how often those around me were told “no” and turned away. I was hurt after my 2nd job rejection and nearly in tears when I couldn’t find a place to sleep that evening. After getting denied at the shelter, I asked one of the social workers on-site for help. She suggested the hospital. But since I had already been to the hospital to get my medication for PTSD, I was told I couldn’t stay there, even in the waiting room. After going back to the social worker a second time, her last suggestion was the jail. It was free, it was safe, and it was a place to stay overnight indoors. I balked at her (visibly balked). She offered to escort me to the jailer if I needed help. I declined and very reluctantly (and with great humility) went to the jailer and called her a few names to get thrown in for the night.
After the simulation was over, we gathered in small groups to discuss our experiences. We were fortunate enough to have people at our table who work everyday with the homeless and affirmed some of what we went through. They educated us on those homeless people who have become their story – their stories are all they have to get just the essentials sometimes and they lose sight of themselves after telling the story so many times.
I cannot imagine what it’s truly like to be homeless, but this gave me a small taste. It made me appreciate the food, shelter, clothing, and job I have. It made my heart ache for those who don’t have those luxuries. And it made me realize most of us are just one or two bad choices away from being there ourselves.
Yes, I ended that sentence with a preposition. Oh well, it’s my blog and I can do what I want to. (See what I did there?) 🙂
When I first meet people that I’ve only previously interacted with on social media, many don’t know what I actually do for a living. I try to keep my professional and personal life separate, but they do intertwine sometimes.
I’m the director of information technology for a local advertising and tech firm. We produce some of the greatest marketing, commercials, sites, apps, and more that I’ve ever seen. I’m quite proud to be associated with such a stellar company. I also have a great team that I work with, both in my specific department, and other teams throughout the agency.
I haven’t always wanted to be a techie. When I was very young, I wanted to be an entomologist. After that sort of passed, I wanted to be a psychologist and that was my major when I started college. Soon after though I switched to computer information systems. Once I completed my degree, I moved into a system administrator position at my then current job. Following that, I moved to Birmingham and worked at a software company doing support for their main program while learning more code. I then moved to Virginia to work for the Executive Office of the President for a while as a software trainer in the Office of Management & Budget. I left there and was then hired as a support specialist at a non-profit in Virginia and worked my way up to the IT manager position when the current manager moved to Colorado. When I decided I wanted to come back to Alabama, I was fortunate to find this amazing opportunity and have been here the last four years.
I’ve learned so much over the years of moving up the proverbial ladder. I’ve learned more about hardware in my current job than I did in 4 years of college. I’ve also learned to give thanks for the opportunities I have been given and the chances people have taken on me. One thing I try to pride myself on is working hard and finding good, talented people. Those two things are essential to any management position. I learned from some of the best mentors and bosses one could ask for and tried to use those skills in hiring the best of the best, which I have successfully done a few times now in my last few positions.
Remember, as you grow your skill set and people give you opportunities you may not have otherwise gotten, pay it forward and help others grow and give them opportunities. I forget that sometimes and I’m glad I have people around to remind me. I’m a leader, but I’m not always a good leader. I am working on that – I want to always be a good leader if possible.
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
