I can't offer you a job, just a little inspiration, I hope.

It occurs to me that one of the key components of a successful unemployment survival strategy has not been touched upon in this blog recently: Hope.

Based on direct contact, comments, and search strings (e.g. "unemployed oh my god I'm gonna die!"), I know that a heck of a lot of people out there are incredibly desperate. No doubt about it: Things are really bad. My neighborhood had a couple of break-ins recently which has not happened in the five years I've lived here. One person contacted me and poured her heart out about the condition of her town, the growing addiction problems, crime problems, violence, blight. Other people have told me that they're actually getting hungry (I myself have lost a lot of weight because I'm cutting my food budget, but it's OK because I know how to eat for maximum nourishment).

It's bad. We can all agree on that at this point.

You know what, though? It will get better. Somehow, some way, things will turn around. It might take a year or five years. Things might get a lot worse before they improve, but they will get better. Please keep that in mind. At this point, all a lot of us have is hope. Let's not lose that.

On a personal level, I've found that hope never steers me wrong. Even if things get materially worse for me, as long as I keep that little light in my heart turned on, I have the strength to keep climbing up this bastard of a mountain that life has thrown in my path. As long as I keep climbing, I'll reach the top or I'll find a way around the mountain to the lush green valley of plenty on the other side. If the other side of the mountain turns out to be a desert, I will divert water to it until it turns into a lush, green valley of plenty, damn it.

Go ahead, Mr. Economy, take away every penny I have, every possession, every shred of my tattered dignity. Hit me with everything you got, m*therf&(er. I WILL NEVER STOP CLIMBING! I WILL NEVER STOP HUSTLING! I WILL NEVER LOSE THE ONE THING I STILL HAVE: HOPE!

Further to that, I will still have people whom I love and who love me, and we will help each other up or around this treacherous obstacle. When we reach the valley, after a moment to catch our breath and honor our fallen, we will work our asses off to build beautiful things, wrought of the strength of character we have gained through this treacherous journey. And when we harvest the fruit of our enormous effort, it will be sweet and juicy.

Whatever else you've lost, don't lose hope.

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I hope somebody out there has a couple of bucks they want to donate to help an unemployed guy pay his rent. All proceeds fund good, wholesome activities like rent paying. Please do not donate if you are unemployed. Thanks.