Feeling Useful in a Broken Society

You are more than your job title.

I’ve been very angry lately, and I’ve caught myself lashing out in frustration more than I’d like to admit.

I’ve been looking for a job again, and the prospects are GRIM. LinkedIn is a total joke, and I wonder why I bothered to get back on there.

Yeah, I’m angry.

Everyone needs to feel useful, and right now, I don’t.

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I’m a big Star Trek fan.

There’s an episode of The Next Generation with Scotty called Relics. The crew find him suspended in a transporter buffer, where he was stuck for 75 years.

I was thrilled to see him, but that excitement quickly turned into sadness and disappointment. And a fair amount of anger, too.

In this episode, Geordi was rude to Scotty, and I felt so bad for him.

He told Scotty he was in the way, and made him feel useless because he was older and had been out of circulation for decades.

Captain Picard had a very different interaction with Scotty. He asked him questions about his time and his Enterprise. He treated him with respect and like he had value.

Picard later talked to Geordi. He encouraged him to work with Scotty on a current problem, and dropped some serious Picard wisdom.

“One of the most important things in a person's life is to feel useful.”

Geordi, of all people, should have understood that. He was born blind, and always had a chip on his shoulder about proving his value. Yet, he had no time for Scotty.

It’s funny how we often treat people the same unkind way we have been treated.

In the end, Geordi redeemed himself, but I never really cared for the character again. It’s an unspoken rule that you don’t mess with Scotty.

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I understand Picard’s statement even more now. I, too, want to feel useful again.

A person does not become irrelevant just because they get a little older. Indeed, they have invaluable experience.

It’s been decades since this episode aired, but now, I identify with Scotty. In many ways, I AM Scotty. Now, I’m the one who is older.

I can’t get a job, or even an interview.

Does that mean I’m worthless? No, I just haven’t found the right opportunity yet.

I still hope that it is possible, but if not, I will CREATE an opportunity. I still have a lot to offer, and I’m not going to let the bastards win.

If you are over 40, corporate America is pretty much done with you. Especially if you are a woman.

But, I’ve still got a lot of life left in me.

Don’t let anyone else define your worth. I know it’s hard, but don’t. It doesn’t matter who you are, you have something to contribute.

For what it’s worth, I see you, and I care. Don’t give up.

I’ll try to hold on, too.

Peace,
Lisa

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