Yup. I got let go from my sales job last week. I could see it coming. Business was down and calls from creditors and frustrated customers had dramatically increased. Frustrated in attempts to secure financing, the owner had to cut back, and, as the only non-family member on the staff, I was the least confrontational first step.

It didn't make me feel any better that he said others were right behind me, or that he'd been happy with me. I can't afford to not be working. I saw the potential for problems soon after I was hired because I've been there, but the young owner never sought my counsel even though he knew my resume. I couldn't blame him. It's not why I was hired, and at his young age, I imagine it's hard to understand how one can be at the top of the mountain one day then a nobody the next.

I'm currently at the nobody stage. I don't feel like a nobody, most of the time that is, but such is the ebb and flow of life and the public perception that you must be defective somehow. Who could know more about the journey than one who's taken it, but alas, isn't it the beauty of inexperience that allows one to venture into shark infested waters without fear of becoming dinner.

I'm left to deal with finding a good job in a community where many employers seem terrified at hiring anyone over forty-five. The fact that I possess many of the qualities that are admirable in an employee like dependable, loyal, productive, ambitious, and have a track record of achievement in everything I've done doesn't seem to matter once they figure out my age. The only way to overcome the reluctance of employers to interview older workers is to knock on their door and say hello. I did that this week and came across a company and a manager that I feel I could fit in with. Now I wait to hear, confident he will hire me. It seemed to go well from the time I shook his hand until the moment I left. I felt I belonged. I hope he felt the same way.

The other mitigating factor I've delt with is I'm a dreamer. I don't mean a hapless day dreamer, but a person who has goals he would like to acheive. I remember a day when sales managers couldn't wait to get their hands on dreamers and goal setters because who could better build the dream for customers--the smell of leather in a new car or the remarkable detail of High Def as you watch the Super Bowl.

The true dreamer in most companies is the person who visualized and then actualized the business. This individual is often by neccessity not involved in the routine hiring process. Rather, he or she is insulated from prospective employees by layers of bureacracy meant to assist in the management of growth. Middle management is notorious for resisting the hiring of their potential replacement leaving senior management to wonder why growth is not what it should be until they catch on.

Dreams are not age related. People can and do dream at every age. To dream is to be human. People don't reside in the moment as do the animals. We imagine and reason and strive to our very graves. To not do so is to betray the gift of our potential.

The Bible says not to throw your pearls before swine. You can read it literally like the Fundamentalists or metaphorically like the Catholics. The swine of the world don't care about what's important to you. They are only interested in filling their own bellies and will feast on your pearls without regard. Swine live in the moment. You have to protect your pearls from being devoured. Swine can also be your attitude. A bad attitude can steal a dream more quickly than hungry swine. Swine are easy to recognize for they feast at the table of ridicule and discouragement choosing to make themselves more by trying to make you less.

One of my pearls is the gift of communications. I've always been good at it. I've been paid for the spoken work and paid well at times, but never for the written word so thought I'd give getting published a try. So far it hasn't worked out. Oh, I gave it a fair but brief run but the need to eat has forced me to be more practical for the now term. When I retire, I'll give it another push, but for now it will remain a hobby.

Have personal ambitions ever cost me opportunity in the workplace? Probably. Perhaps perspective employers worry I'll get a book contract and leave them high and dry after I've been all trained. I've been asked. It's unlikely. Remote even. Writing books is a horridly difficult business to break into for young talented people not to mention near impossible for older talented people without a load of credentials in the public arena like entertainment, sports, or politics. You'll notice I cling to the talent part.

But hey ... thanks for believing in me. I appreciate it. But please don't use the best reason for hiring me as an excuse to not. I promise to work hard and reward your trust. Besides, I like to make money. On that point I'm sure we can agree.