Onwards and Upwards – My Job Search Adventure (Part 3)

In an attempt to save it, I straightened it, placed a stick and some sticky tape around it for support. It was the least I could do. Hoping that it would help, I rested it against the wall and watered it for a couple of days. In the meantime, job hunting continued. But it was one exhausting activity! This was a deity who demanded continuous efforts regardless of how exhausted I was.  I realized I was on the verge of breaking! Working on healing my radish made me realize I needed some healing too.  I needed to pause and refuel in order to continue. No one flowers with a broken stem.

And so, I exchanged my computer with a canvas. Picked up my paintbrush and painted. An artist friend became my stick and sticky tape, and we collaborated on a painting project. We decided to paint ‘Spring in the Netherlands’ in our own styles. We were inspired by the tulips that bloom in spring in the famous Keukenhof Gardens of the Netherlands. He painted a series of water paintings while I painted a set of three oil paintings that made up one single landscape when put together.

I think of my paintings as my flowers because they are the manifestation of ideas and hours of efforts and they create a sense of achievement. My blog is akin to the wall that the radish is resting against; a solid support for me. A place where I pause, recharge and refuel myself to continue doing what needs to be done.

Every day, some of my fuel is expended in job hunting. Some more is spent in dealing with the rejection that comes with it. Even more is used up to keep going despite the rejections. In the end, when my fuel reserves are almost empty, I look at my radish, resting against the wall wearing the stick and sticky tape proudly. Its tenacity showing in its tiny white flowers and its shoots growing strongly. I grow with it, onwards & upwards.