Everyday Is A New Beginning – GROWING FROM LIFE'S LESSONS

Looking Back On Surviving Abandonment at Five Years Old: A Journey of Healing and Resilience

Life has a way of throwing challenges at us when we least expect them – sometimes at an age when we are least equipped to handle them. At just five years old, I faces the unimaginable: abandonment. Now, looking back at 75, I see how that experience shaped me in ways I never could have understood at the time. It was a journey marked by fear, pain, and confusion, but ultimately, one of healing and resilience.

The Day Everything Changed

I still remember the moment vividly – the scent of my mother’s familiar embrace, the confusion of being left behind, the desperation of my voice as I begged her not to go. But despite my cries, she left me in the care of Sarah Mack, a woman who would become the source of much of my childhood pain. That day, my world shifted from the warmth of my mother’s love to the cold reality of abandonment.

A Childhood of Hardship

The years that followed were filled with struggle. Sarah’s home was no place for a child to thrive. The apartment was infested with mice, my daily reality was filled with fear, and any display of weakness was met with harsh discipline. I endured beatings, neglect, and the constant reminder that I was unwanted. I longed for love, for safety, for a way out.

Through it all, I learned to survive. I adapted, toughened myself against the pain, and clung to whatever scraps of hope I could find. My refuge became the church, where I first encountered the idea that I was not alone – that perhaps, there was a God who saw me, who heard my cries, who had a plan beyond my suffering.

A Glimpse of Hope

Not everyone in my life was cruel. One woman, Leora Griffen, saw my pain and extended kindness when I needed it most. She fought for me in ways I could not fight for myself, helping me transition to a Catholic school where I found structure, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. That opportunity changed everything.

For the first time, I felt like I had value beyond my suffering. I excelled academically, earned leadership roles, and began to dream of a future beyond the limitations of my past.

Rising Above

Through sheer determination, I carved a path forward. I earned a place at Hales Franciscan High School, where I thrived in academics and athletics. College became a reality, and eventually, I found my calling in pharmacy. With every achievement, I reclaimed a piece of what was taken from me.

Looking back now, I realize that surviving abandonment was never just about making it through those painful years – it was about proving to myself that I was worthy of love, success, and happiness. It was about learning that resilience is not just enduring hardships, but transforming it into strength.

A Message to Others

To anyone who has faced abandonment, rejection, or pain that seems impossible to bear – know that your story does not end in suffering. You are more than what happened to you. Healing takes time, and the scars may never fully fade, but they do not define you.

Microsoft: Empowering the Digital World

Microsoft is a global technology company known for shaping the modern digital experience. From its iconic Windows operating system to the versatile Microsoft Office suite, the company has provided tools that support both personal productivity and enterprise innovation. Visit the official website at microsoft.com to explore its offerings.

Microsoft has also become a major player in cloud computing through Azure, and in business collaboration with Microsoft Teams. Its investments in artificial intelligence, gaming (via Xbox), and hardware (like Surface devices) reflect a broad vision for the future of tech.

Key Innovations by Microsoft

Windows OS and Microsoft Office — foundational software for millions worldwide
Azure cloud services — empowering digital transformation for businesses
Xbox gaming platform — connecting entertainment and technology
Surface devices — combining performance with sleek design
AI integration and responsible innovation — shaping the future responsibly

With decades of experience and a continued focus on progress, Microsoft remains a leader in the global tech landscape.

This is a test article created for demonstration purposes in WordPress.

IS THERE LOVE AFTER PROSTATE SURGERY?

Senior African American couple at home hugging and smiling

Prostate surgery is a treatment option that strikes fear in the hearts of some men with prostate cancer. I know. I was one of them. Possible surgery outcomes includes: urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. I had one main question. Is there love after prostate surgery?

After I received a few moderate increases in my PSA levels, my general practitioner suggested I visit a urologist. That made me nervous. I was reluctant to share this information with my wife. I took his recommendation and made an appointment with urologist Dr. Christine Cumarasamy MD.

FIRST MEETING WITH Dr. C

In Dr. C’s office, she reviewed my PSA lab results. She asked had anyone in my family ever had prostate cancer? I hadn’t been honest with my general practitioner and I wasn’t ready to share my secret with her either. “No.” I answered. I felt guilty lying. Dr. C appeared to be a very caring physician. But on this day, I was not in a trusting frame of mind. I was hoping she would simply continue to monitor my PSA levels. Hope quickly faded. “To be on the safe side, I will order a prostate biopsy,” she said. That was not what I wanted to hear.

SECOND MEETING WITH Dr. C

Following the prostate biopsy, I went back to Dr. C for the results. I knew that according to statistics one in six Black men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime compared to one in eight men overall. But why would I have needed to worry? I exercised every day and was in good physical health. Also, I had no symptoms. Nevertheless, I entered her office with both my fingers and toes crossed. My optimism was short lived. She looked up from her lap-top computer. “You have prostate cancer. You have a Gleason 7. Your cancer was contained. It had not spread” That was too much information to process. I had no idea what the Gleason score 7 meant. However the expression on her face told me it was not good. An alarm went off in my head. I felt my heart beating faster. I tried to calm down while she explained the results. This was followed by a discussion of treatment options: radiation or robotic prostatectomy. She said after the surgery I would have to wear a catheter for 10 days. As she spoke, I had a vivid recollection of my brother at home after prostate surgery. I helped him get into the shower while he held his catheter. He was in pain. I didn’t know why. But what I did know was that I never wanted to end up like that. I had to force myself to get back to my reality. I wanted to jump up and run out of her office. But how would I explain my action to my wife? I calmed down long enough to say I had to think about this. Dr. C did not pressure me for a decision right away. She was probably wondering why I would hesitate to jump at a chance to save my life. What she didn’t know, I was more concern with saving my manhood. I needed help making this decision.

I had too much to lose. After two failed marriages, I had finally found the woman I loved. I wouldn’t allow anything to get in the way of our continued fun and love making. It had been 30 years of bliss.

DISCOVERY

I scoured the internet for everything written on this topic. But nothing I read addressed my concern. Then one day at the local library, I came across a book that spoke to me. The book titled TAKE THE RISK was written by Dr. Ben Carson an African American neurosurgeon. The book is about learning to identify, choose and live with acceptable risks. Although I had no symptoms, I was able to identify with Dr. Carson’s story. He was having a difficult time getting through a 10 hour surgery without having to stop and go to the bathroom. His urologist told him he was probably experiencing prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate. He gave Dr. Carson an antibiotic. The symptoms persisted. Next, his urologist guessed he had prostatic hyperplasia, an enlargement of the prostate. So he ordered the drug Flomax. Nothing changed. Now Dr, Carson was getting worried. His urologist suggested getting a PSA test. It came back slightly elevated. Next a prostate biopsy was performed. His urologist told him the chances of prostate cancer was only 18%. So Dr. Carson relaxed and waited for the results. One day following the biopsy, he got the call while in the operating room. The biopsy indicated that he not only had prostate cancer but a very aggressive form. He began examining treatment options. Before deciding on prostate surgery, Dr. Carson evaluated the risks of nerve damage that could result in urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Prostate surgery had a higher rate of success than traditional radiation treatment. If he had the surgery, that meant the permanent removal of the cancer. As long as the cancer was contained, the odds of a complete cure and normal life expectancy was good. He pondered the worst possibility with surgery. That was the risk of nerve damage that could leave him incontinent or impotent. So if the cancer was contained and the tumor removed he should be cured of the cancer and have a normal life expectancy.

His mind was on his wife and children that he would be leaving behind. He reflected on all the things in life he had taken for granted. He was going to start enjoying more of God’s gifts. Dr. Carson had a robotic prostatectomy. Fortunately, his doctor was able to remove the tumor and spare the nerves. The following PSA test dropped to undetectable which was the goal. Dr. Carson went back to work in less than a month cancer free. Although he realized the chance of a recurrency was a possibility, he anticipated a long and healthy life.

There was a section in his book where he described his wife’s reaction when he revealed his diagnosis. She had a tough time processing a life without her husband. At night she would cry. Her crying would wake up her husband in the middle of the night. It was so heartbreaking for him to witness. When I read this, it opened my eyes to a fact I had’nt considered. More important than sex was how unhappy my wife would be without the man she loved. I had given too much attention to the physical side of our relationship. Although important, it was not everything. For the first time, it was clear to me that my hesitancy regarding prostate surgery was based on a misplaced priority- the loss of lovemaking not love. My thinking had been shallow. My wife was a strong woman. But my death would cause her unbearable pain. Why would I risk losing my life just to save my manhood? That made no sense. So I made the decision to have the prostate surgery. I was in full agreement with Dr. Ben Carson. Some risks are worth taking.

Dr. Carson wrote a message in his book that spoke directly to me.

Hey guys let me share what is evidently a little known medical fact- there is a 100 percent chance of impotency if you are dead.

POST SURGERY

The surgery was a success!!! My wife and I were blessed. Dr. C performed a flawless robotic prostatectomy. Since the operation, I have only encountered a few instances of erection delay. For that, Dr. C gave to me a few tablet samples of a form of Viagra. Fortunately, it was not long before I didn’t need any assistance. I could finally report. THERE IS LOVE AFTER PROSTATE SURGERY!

I am also blessed to have had no urinary incontinence issues. My PSA tests shows undetectable. It will be tested regularly to spot any signs of a recurrence.

IN CONCLUSION:

I would advise any man with prostate cancer to seriously consider having a prostatectomy. I completely understand why you may be hesitant accepting this treatment option. There are risks involved. But there are some risks worth taking. In the long run, this surgery has a better success rate than the other treatment options. So, find a skilled urologist with years of robotic surgery experience. You want someone who:

You can trust.
Will answer all your questions.
Will tell you exactly what to expect post – surgery.
Will follow your progress for years after surgery.

Before you make the decision not to have surgery, consider the impact on the people who love you.

I will admit, although I was in my late sixties, the realization that I could never have a biological off-spring was unsettling. But in hindsight, I have absolutely no regrets.

Microsoft: Empowering the Digital World

Key Innovations by Microsoft

Windows OS and Microsoft Office — foundational software for millions worldwide
Azure cloud services — empowering digital transformation for businesses
Xbox gaming platform — connecting entertainment and technology
Surface devices — combining performance with sleek design
AI integration and responsible innovation — shaping the future responsibly

With decades of experience and a continued focus on progress, Microsoft remains a leader in the global tech landscape.

This is a test article created for demonstration purposes in WordPress.

CONFESSIONS OF A LATE BLOOMER WRITER

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a writer. I grew up in poverty under the roof of an abusive foster parent. My only refuge was the writer within me. I would scribble thoughts on torn pieces of paper and hide them away. I would take one out and read it to help get through a particularly bad day. My life was all about survival. Getting through one day to the next without a beating was my daily goal.

In high school, English class is where I developed an enduring appreciation of writing. My teacher was strict but caring. He added so many tools to my writing toolbox. I am forever indebted. He emphasized the importance of sentence structure and paragraph organization. I learned how to put my thoughts together in a coherent fashion. He gave my writing the attention it needed. I finally was comfortable pouring my thoughts out for someone else to read and critique. I excelled in his class. It all came so naturally to me. He would leave comments on my papers that encouraged me to continue my writing pursuits.

For the first time, I understood the notes I had been scribbling to myself growing up, were a cry for help. I wondered how many other young people lived under similar circumstances. I hoped to one day speak for the voiceless in my writings.

In my senior year, writing was sidetracked. My guidance counselor instructed me to focus on choosing a college and a career. I was looking forward to a future in writing. But my counselor insisted I be more realistic. He told me making a living writing would be difficult. I should choose a career that paid decent money. This made sense to me. I wanted a pathway out of the poor and hurtful environment I grew up in. I made a decision. Writing would have to wait.

My counselor gave me a magazine featuring jobs in the healthcare industry of the future. It stated job prospects in pharmacy were particularly good. The article went on to state that someone with a pharmacy degree would always have a job. That piqued my interest. I had no idea what the work of a pharmacist involved. I recalled this man in my neighborhood drugstore behind the counter who wore a white coat and the customers respected and called him ‘doc.’ I never recalled seeing anyone behind the counter wearing a white jacket that looked like me. So I decided to embark on that career path. When I received my acceptance letter, I jumped with joy. It represented my ticket to a better life.

My goal was to become an excellent pharmacist. This required an enormous amount of reading and study. There was so much drug information to keep up with. When I put on that white coat, I was the drug information specialist. If I didn’t know the answer to a physician’s or nurse’s drug question, I was expected to quickly find it.

My normal work schedule was demanding. I had to get up at 3 am to catch a 5 am train from my home in New Jersey to Pennsylvania station in New York City. From there I boarded a subway train to my hospital pharmacy job in Brooklyn, New York.

During my pharmacy career, hospital closings were a common occurrence. With every change of employment, I came in as the least senior pharmacist. This meant I was frequently required to work mandatory overtime shifts. Pharmacy work required a lot of standing. Unfortunately, I was born with flat feet. So, every day was a painful experience. My daily work routine was either inspecting nursing units or verifying physician drug orders. Since I never took typing in school, keeping up with the large volume of physician orders was always a challenge.

I surrendered my life to pharmacy. Even on off days, I surrounded myself with pharmacy books and journals. I had no other interests. But even more regrettably, I was out of touch with writing. I was not happy. I had devoted too many years solely to pharmacy.

I needed confirmation that the writer in me was still alive. Then it happened. One morning on the 5:00 am train to work, I overheard a conversation. A passenger was explaining to someone about an experience that changed her life. She had a meeting with Singh Modhi, a world-renowned palm reader. Curious whether or not he could help me, I went on the internet and got his information. Three months later in his office in New York City, he read my sweaty palms. Then he whispered the words. “You are a writer.” Finally, the confirmation I sought. His words renewed my quest for a writing life. Emotionally, I was ready to get out of pharmacy. Unfortunately, that was still not financially possible.

Many years passed before I produced any tangible evidence I was a writer.

I co-authored with some writer friends the book titled GET THE BOOK OUT. I later wrote my first book titled A PRESCRIPTION FOR FINANCIAL HEALTH.

I reveled in my brief taste of writing success. But it would be ten years and two failed marriages later before I was joyfully living the writing life. Retirement unlocked the door for me. I was also blessed to find a loving partner.

I have taken writing courses and joined a supportive writing community. Good writing requires daily practice. My work includes various forms of writing e.g. personal essays, blog posts, short stories, and memoir writing.

Every day is a new beginning. I pour myself a cup of coffee and walk from my kitchen to my home office to write. It has been a long time coming. I am so blessed. I am on no one else’s schedule but my own. Comfortably seated in front of my computer, I anxiously await the arrival of a new idea. What will I give birth to today?

If the writing life is your goal, stick with it. No matter how long it takes, it will be worth the wait.

When I hear the whistle of the 5 am train pulling out the station without me, it brings a smile to my face. I gleefully look forward to another creative day in my writing life. Don’t you give up!

ARE YOU WALKING INTO DARKNESS?

Glaucoma is not a disease many people know much about. It is a disease with practically no symptoms. If left untreated it could lead to blindness. African Americans and Hispanics are at increased risk of developing glaucoma. It is estimated that nearly 1.5 million Americans are walking around undiagnosed.
I have been getting an annual eye examination from the same ophthalmologist for years. I have always worn prescription glasses for poor visual acuity. So, other than occasional periods of blurred vision, that has been the extent of my vision issues. I simply attributed the blurred vision to not blinking enough when working on the computer at work. Then one day while having a casual conversation with a co-worker, I found out that she had also, in the past, gone to my eye doctor. But for some reason, she decided to try someone new. She was now seeing Dr. Dina Weintraub, a glaucoma specialist. She suggested I give her doctor a try. I told her thanks but no thanks. Well, I thought that was the end of it. But every time I would see her, she asked had I given her doctor a try? I really had no reason to believe another doctor would find anything else wrong with my eyes. But to stop her from asking me that question, I made an appointment. I am so lucky I did.
Dr. Weintraub is one of the most caring, soft-spoken and knowledgeable doctors I have ever met.
After an extensive examination, she gave me her diagnosis. “You have open-angle glaucoma.” But before I was able to process that revelation, she went on to say I had extensive optic nerve damage to both eyes. And the damage was irreversible. The pressure in the left eye was 52 and the right eye was 46. Normal intra-ocular pressure is 0-21. If you did not have so much damage already, we could gradually bring down your pressures. Some people may be okay even with pressures this high. But not you. She said we had to immediately get my eye pressure down before the optic nerve is completely destroyed. At 62 years old to find out I could go blind was shocking. I told myself this could not be happening. I was in total denial. How could that be? This has to be a mistake. I insisted she does the tests over. I was certain my eye doctor who had given me an annual exam for years would have detected a problem with my eyes before now. Dr. Weintraub tried to make sense of it. Maybe your pressures were not elevated on the day you went for your annual check-up. And maybe the doctor never examined your optic nerves.
When I calmed down, she carefully explained to me what glaucoma is. She said that eye pressure is a major risk factor for optic nerve damage. In the front of the eye is a space called the anterior- chamber. A clear fluid flows continuously in and out of the chamber and nourishes nearby tissues. The fluid leaves the chamber at the open angle where the cornea and iris meet. When the fluid reaches the angle, it flows through a spongy meshwork, like a drain, and leaves the eye.

In open-angle glaucoma, even though the drainage angle is “open”, the fluid passes too slowly through the meshwork drain. Since the fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye rises to a level that may damage the optic nerve. When the optic nerve is damaged by increased pressure, open-angle glaucoma and vision loss—may result. You would first start losing your peripheral vision. That’s why controlling the pressure inside the eye is important. So I was handed four eye drops prescriptions and a tablet prescription for the drug Diamox. This drug has a side effect of weight loss, which was very profound in my case. The goal was to get the pressure down to a very low level and to maintain that low pressure.
After using the different eye drops and taking the Diamox for weeks, my pressures were up and down like a roller coaster. When I started using the drops, getting the drops accurately into my eyes and not running down my cheeks was a challenge. When I would visit the doctor and be told the pressures were still high, I attributed it to me not doing a proper job of getting the drops into my eyes. I then bought a gadget that was to improve my accuracy. It was much easier to feel the refrigerated eye drops when the cold drop hit my eyeball. After instilling the drops, I was told to apply pressure to the corners of the eye along the bridge of the nose, hold for a few seconds. This prevented any drug from escaping the eye out through the nasal lacrimal duct.
Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, the pressures wouldn’t stay low. Dr. Weintraub was not happy. “I think it’s time we consider surgery”, she said. This was not what I wanted to hear. Just the mention of the word surgery, caused my claustrophobia to kick in. I could not see myself buckled down on an operating room table, unable to move. She saw I was uncomfortable with her suggestion.
So she tried to get me to focus on the benefits of surgery, and the importance of vision. Without surgery, I would have to continue using the eye drops. But more importantly, I could still lose my sight. So I settled down and focused on what I had to lose without the surgery. Never to be able to see my beautiful wife’s face was just one factor that weighed heavily on my decision. I am an avid reader. I read at least ten books, at a time, on my kindle fire. I also look forward to every spring working in my garden. I eagerly await the appearance of my tulips and other beautiful flowers that decorate my garden. Plus not to be able to continue to write my blog and to draw would leave too deep of a void in my life.
She recommended Dr. James McDermott, a surgeon she trusts. When her father needed surgery, she sent him to Dr. McDermott. Despite her confidence, I was still nervous. I wanted the assurance everything was going to work out.
After meeting and talking with Dr. McDermott, I felt confident I would be in good hands. He told me I would be a candidate for an operation called a Trabeculectomy. He said it was a procedure that creates a new drainage channel for the aqueous humor to leave the eye. During the procedure, a small flap is made in the sclera (the outer white coating of your eye). A filtration bleb, or reservoir, is created under the conjunctiva – the thin, filmy membrane that covers the white part of your eye. Once created, the bled looks like a bump or blister on the white part of the eye above the iris, but the upper eyelid usually covers it. The aqueous humor can now drain through the flap made in the sclera and collect in the bleb, where the fluid will be absorbed into blood vessels around the eye. He had successfully performed this operation numerous times. He also instructed residents on the proper surgical techniques.
The surgery on the left eye had to be done first because it had the most optic nerve damage. This was performed at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai on October 25, 2011. The surgery on the right eye was performed on November 22, 2011.
Although Dr. McDermott told me the operation had gone well, I needed to see proof through my own eyes. After each operation, the waiting was nerve wrecking. All day every day, I wondered whether or not my vision would return to normal?
I couldn’t see clearly out of the un-bandaged eye. I couldn’t read. I could barely watch television. Periodically, my claustrophobia would kick in. I needed an escape. I was desperate to get back to work simply for the distraction. But instead, I had to remain home and ponder my fate. I was going stir crazy. I would go for long walks in the sunshine to renew my spirits. Eventually, my vision did return to normal. The pressures in my eyes remained low. But, as a result of the surgery, cataracts developed in both eyes. So far they have not posed a big problem. Removing cataracts could possibly reverse the good results of the surgery. So, I will refrain from having cataracts removed for as long as possible.
I am so grateful to Dr. Dina Weintraub for diagnosing my glaucoma condition and to Dr. James McDermott for performing the surgery.
Now that I been through this experience, I would like to share with you a few tips that
may help you avoid a similar situation
TIPS:
• Get an eye exam at least twice a year.
• Ask your eye doctor to check your eye pressures on each visit
• Keep a record of eye pressures after each visit.
• If you are older than 50yrs, periodically request a visual field and optic nerve exam.
• If on eye drop medication, keep a daily log of date and time you put in the drops. Make the entry after instilling the drops, not before. Sometimes you may be interrupted by a phone call or conversation and not recall if the drops were put in. You don’t want to either under-medicate nor over-medicate.
• For more information visit https://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts

Remember: glaucoma does not come with warning signs.

Is A Layoff In Your Future?

The official unemployment rate is about 5.0 and labor department experts expect it to continue to rise. So, the likelihood of you joining the ranks of the unemployed is very good. In this unstable economic climate more and more workers, in almost every industry, are facing a growing number of plant closings and corporate downsizings. When I began my career in hospital pharmacy, I believed what career counselors told me about always having a job. They told me the healthcare industry was solid. I would never have to face involuntary unemployment. But they couldn’t foresee an increased number of pharmacy schools opening across the country and the resultant glut of new pharmacists looking for jobs. Today, wide-spread hospitals closing are occurring in all our major metropolitan cities. It is estimated that by 2020, one in three hospitals will close or reorganize into an entirely different type of health care service provider. Twice in the past ten years I’ve had to turn in my lab jacket and ID badge. I was forced back into the job market competing with other job applicants much younger, willing to work any shift and for less money. There goes job security. How well have you planned for this life changing possibility? It may not be something in your immediate future. But remember, no job is 100% secure. It does not matter how good you are at your job or how hard you work. Don’t get lulled into a false sense of security.

Having a survival plan in place is a good idea.

“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst” is my advice to you. Conversations with professional job placement experts after my first layoff prepared me to better handle the second. These are the steps I followed that shortened the period between jobs and made the whole experience easier to handle.

STEP ONE: HOLD ON TO YOUR JOB
Do what you can to hold on to your current job. Make sure you are demonstrating your true worth. Do the best job possible. And make sure your good work quality is being documented.

STEP TWO: DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY
Unfortunately, no matter how great an employee you are, you may be forced to join the ranks of the unemployed. Just remember, it is not your fault. Don’t waste time worrying or feeling sorry for yourself. Instead, work on a strategy.

STEP THREE: PUT TOGETHER AN EMERGENCY FUND
Cut back on unnecessary spending and start building an emergency fund. Your emergency fund should total at least six months of all your basic monthly expenses. The more money you have to fall back on, the greater your peace of mind. Look into what type of severance package the company will offer. It would be a good idea to get a credit card that you can use for emergency expenses. It will be much more difficult to qualify for a credit card after you have been laid off. On credit cards make the minimum payments until your employment situation stabilizes.

STEP FOUR: CHECK YOUR HEALTH BENEFITS
If your job goes, your health benefits will leave too. Take advantage of them while you still have them. If you know or suspect your job is at risk, make sure you are up-to-date on medical and dental exams and any procedures you may need but have been putting off. When your medical coverage ends, you may qualify for COBRA. It allows the continuation of group medical coverage after your employment is terminated, It may be costly. So budget for the expense so your coverage isn’t interrupted.

STEP FIVE: CHECK YOUR ACCRUED BENEFITS
Find out what benefits you have accrued and not yet used. How much vacation or sick time, whether in hours or days, have you accrued. Check the policy regarding how it is treated when someone involuntarily leaves the company. Some employers will give you a portion of the vacation you have accrued. If the policy does not allow for payment, you can use the vacation time for job interviewing and other job related activities.

STEP SIX: CHECK YOUR PENSION AND 401K
If your company is about to go under, check the status of your pension and/or 401K. How invested are you in the company’s stock. Maybe it’s time to make a change while there is still time. Consider re-allocating part or all of your 401K if it is invested 100% in your employer’s stock. If you are part of a profit sharing plan that is invested 100% in company stock, can you diversify with investments in other companies’ stock?

STEP SEVEN: CHECK UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
Make sure you apply for unemployment benefits. You can find out how to file in your state at CareerOneStop.org Take advantage of online filing if it’s available in your state. Find out how much you are entitled to in your state. I was shocked to find out it was such a small amount compared to my regular paycheck. It is only going to be a fraction of what you were earning. You may even be required to regularly report to an assigned counselor at the unemployment office. You must provide proof that you have been actively looking for employment. You can only receive these benefits for a specified number of weeks. And these benefits are taxable.

STEP EIGHT: UPDATE YOUR RESUME
When was the last time you undated your resume? If it has been a while, there is probably outdated information on it and it needs to be refreshed with an updated look. What can you add to your resume to make it more relevant in today’s marketplace?
Continue reading “Is A Layoff In Your Future?”