My goal this week is to look for work, volunteer opportunities, or
engage in service projects/errands that are compatible with the spare
time I have after doing my Pathways work and church calling. Even though
I have an invisible disability and am on government disability because I
am not expected to work, I still like to spend time volunteering or
doing service projects/errands because it helps me to feel productive
and it also helps my mom, as she is in school full-time until the end of
December. I may or may not find something in terms of paid employment,
but I can either do errands/service or volunteer to show gratitude over
what I have been given.
I haven't done more than
pass out a few resumes from time to time since I started school because I
wanted to be available to do whatever needed to be done while my mom
was in school and I also wanted to see how much time school would take,
as Pathways is currently my main job. I haven't been successful in
finding work thus far, but there are always opportunities to volunteer
in my community and even if I can't find work, I can use my time by
volunteering and doing service.
I will measure my progress by talking to at least one organization about
volunteering, doing one service project, or handing at least one resume
out to a business this week. I may not find work, as I have come to see
that employers are somewhat wary of hiring people with invisible
disabilities, but I am going to give it a good, honest effort. If I have
talked to at least one organization about volunteer work, participated
in a service project, or applied for one job, I will consider my goal
successful because trying and failing is better than not even trying to
succeed.
My goal of trying to find work, looking for volunteer opportunities, or doing at least one service project or an important errand is attainable because making a good, honest effort at searching for opportunities is always attainable if enough time is set aside to do so and enough effort is put in. I will find time to work on this goal as long as I put my schoolwork first, as it takes only a couple of hours on Monday, Friday, and Saturday to get done if I just sit down and focus, so I have the other days, save for Sunday, in the week for errands, job searching, service, and looking for volunteer opportunities.
Right now, my priority is keeping up in this educational program so
that I am able to pursue additional education when the time comes
should the opportunity be there for me to do so. My family is having a
tough time financially, though, so I am looking for seasonal work or
casual work to try and alleviate a bit of the burden, but my search
hasn't been successful thus far and it's a bit concerning to me as even
with some days allocated for Pathways, I want to be able to help a
little more financially. I use my disability pay to help with bills, but
it is still a financial strain and maybe earning a little money from
casual or seasonal work would help ease that strain.
Another
priority I have is also helping my family and even if I can't find work
right now, I can ease my mom's burdens by running errands for her and
also help look after the family dog during the week that she doesn't
have time for because of school. My family, my education, and being able
to serve in the Church are my top priorities right now and when I have
time for other things, I want to find a way that I can help others help
themselves or to just feel good about themselves.
In terms of investing time wisely so I can achieve my goal, I go to
church on Sundays and spend the time after sacrament meeting in the
nursery so that others can go to class and not have to worry about the
welfare of their little ones. After church, I come home and spend time
with my mom and the dog doing whatever we can do together, as there is
limited time during the week to spend time together right now until my
mom's course is finished at the end of December. I allocate time on
Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to complete all the work I
need to do for Pathways and I can easily spend Tuesday, Wednesday, and
spare time on the other days to look for work, look for volunteer
opportunities, or do things that will either be a benefit to my family
or those who are in need of helping hands. I try very hard to be of help
to others after taking care of my priorities.
Letter to my past self:
Dear Heather,
The world is constantly changing and though you are probably already aware of this, we must always be prepared for these changes because life does not always work out how we plan it to. Life can often get in the way of the best made plans, but if you are prepared for the possibility of everything and anything happening, you will be able to make the most of the challenges life brings with what you have and what you can do. There may be times in which you have only yourself and God to rely on, as others may be too focused on their own challenges to be of help, and you need to know how to take care of yourself.
I know your disability has made things harder for you, but do not give up on yourself or on the Lord, as the Lord will never give up on you. Having a disability doesn't mean you or others can discount your abilities; you just have to work a little harder at showing others that you are capable of doing great things for yourself and them. Mom always told me that the world wouldn't change for me, that I would have to change for the world and to survive in the ever-changing world, you need to not only know how to do that, but also apply that knowledge.
You may or may not be on disability funding forever, but if you are, use it wisely through paying tithing, budgeting, and saving a bit for rainy days. Don't just do nothing with your time because you have an income from disability or from a job if you happen to get one you can keep; engage in volunteer work or do service projects that will not only help you express gratitude for what you have been given, but that will also help others learn how to help themselves. Involve your husband and children in the process of budgeting and in the process of helping others, as families do better when they engage in Christ-like activities together because they learn to better appreciate one another and the talents that everyone has. Also be aware of finances, how much money is available to get through each month, and where the money goes; if you don't live beyond your means and pay your tithing and fast offerings, blessings will come.
You did great by having a home storage supply when you lived with your family of origin and on your own with roommates, but keep on having a supply of food and emergency money wherever you go, as life happens and you saw that when Dad got cancer and ended up passing away from it. It was because of your monumental spiritual strength and your strong testimony of the gospel that you were able to see his death as God's way of allowing him to grow and develop spiritually away from the chaos of mortality. The experience you had with Dad should encourage you to not only take care of yourself spiritually, but also take the time to stay physically healthy so you are in a position to take care of others, including those who will join your family in time. When you are healthy, you can better feel and respond to the promptings of the Spirit, so make good choices so that God can better take care of you and your life.
As far as education goes, my dear, I love that you are so eager to learn new things and do your best in everything you engage in. Secular education may not always be an option, but make the most of what you can do with it and also cherish the learning opportunities that come with the blessings of eternal marriage and taking care of children whether they are yours or not. Every job, every experience, and every choice should be considered an educational opportunity that should be cherished, as those moments pass as quickly as time does. Don't take for granted the ability and freedom you have to learn, as not everyone in the world has the right to learn and most likely wants to. Cherish any blessings that the Lord sends you, especially those of marriage and family, as you will be held accountable for how you react and care for those blessings.
Always engage in the opportunities that come for you to pursue lifelong learning whether it be through work, school, your family, or your life experiences. The best experiences you will have, however, is being able to utilize the Atonement to feel the Spirit and have enlightening, adventurous things happen because you listened to it. Stay close to God, as God is your Father in Heaven and loves you so very much and always hold strong to the gospel as long as you live, as it will give you strength to endure all things yet to come. The Lord has provided and will provide useful people and other resources to you that you may continue to move forward in faith as time and life progresses. Stay strong, stay spiritual, and never ever give up on God or on the life He wants you to have, as He and Jesus Christ will never give up on you.
Sincerely,
Heather Leigh Cameron
The world is constantly changing and though you are probably already aware of this, we must always be prepared for these changes because life does not always work out how we plan it to. Life can often get in the way of the best made plans, but if you are prepared for the possibility of everything and anything happening, you will be able to make the most of the challenges life brings with what you have and what you can do. There may be times in which you have only yourself and God to rely on, as others may be too focused on their own challenges to be of help, and you need to know how to take care of yourself.
I know your disability has made things harder for you, but do not give up on yourself or on the Lord, as the Lord will never give up on you. Having a disability doesn't mean you or others can discount your abilities; you just have to work a little harder at showing others that you are capable of doing great things for yourself and them. Mom always told me that the world wouldn't change for me, that I would have to change for the world and to survive in the ever-changing world, you need to not only know how to do that, but also apply that knowledge.
You may or may not be on disability funding forever, but if you are, use it wisely through paying tithing, budgeting, and saving a bit for rainy days. Don't just do nothing with your time because you have an income from disability or from a job if you happen to get one you can keep; engage in volunteer work or do service projects that will not only help you express gratitude for what you have been given, but that will also help others learn how to help themselves. Involve your husband and children in the process of budgeting and in the process of helping others, as families do better when they engage in Christ-like activities together because they learn to better appreciate one another and the talents that everyone has. Also be aware of finances, how much money is available to get through each month, and where the money goes; if you don't live beyond your means and pay your tithing and fast offerings, blessings will come.
You did great by having a home storage supply when you lived with your family of origin and on your own with roommates, but keep on having a supply of food and emergency money wherever you go, as life happens and you saw that when Dad got cancer and ended up passing away from it. It was because of your monumental spiritual strength and your strong testimony of the gospel that you were able to see his death as God's way of allowing him to grow and develop spiritually away from the chaos of mortality. The experience you had with Dad should encourage you to not only take care of yourself spiritually, but also take the time to stay physically healthy so you are in a position to take care of others, including those who will join your family in time. When you are healthy, you can better feel and respond to the promptings of the Spirit, so make good choices so that God can better take care of you and your life.
As far as education goes, my dear, I love that you are so eager to learn new things and do your best in everything you engage in. Secular education may not always be an option, but make the most of what you can do with it and also cherish the learning opportunities that come with the blessings of eternal marriage and taking care of children whether they are yours or not. Every job, every experience, and every choice should be considered an educational opportunity that should be cherished, as those moments pass as quickly as time does. Don't take for granted the ability and freedom you have to learn, as not everyone in the world has the right to learn and most likely wants to. Cherish any blessings that the Lord sends you, especially those of marriage and family, as you will be held accountable for how you react and care for those blessings.
Always engage in the opportunities that come for you to pursue lifelong learning whether it be through work, school, your family, or your life experiences. The best experiences you will have, however, is being able to utilize the Atonement to feel the Spirit and have enlightening, adventurous things happen because you listened to it. Stay close to God, as God is your Father in Heaven and loves you so very much and always hold strong to the gospel as long as you live, as it will give you strength to endure all things yet to come. The Lord has provided and will provide useful people and other resources to you that you may continue to move forward in faith as time and life progresses. Stay strong, stay spiritual, and never ever give up on God or on the life He wants you to have, as He and Jesus Christ will never give up on you.
Sincerely,
Heather Leigh Cameron
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