Sometimes, oh hell, most times, we don’t know what we have until it’s lost. We make plans, and go about our daily business searching for some thing that’s out there, at some distant point, some distant place, some distant state of mind, or state of being. When really we don’t bother to look inside ourselves, look at our experience, look at the present moment and see what we have right now.

It’s been said, that we teach what we ourselves need learn most, and by putting these lines down I’m certainly giving myself a lesson. What do we have right now? What’s going on right now? What do we have to be grateful and thankful for? What do we have that our lives would be worse off for if we didn’t have it? There’s something like that for everyone, and when you figure out what that is, you can start being thankful and grateful now, not later… otherwise, when we get to that later point, we’ll realize what we had, but only because we’ll no longer have it. The universe can be a very cruel teacher sometimes.

The path.

Often, the path we’re on, isn’t the path we want to be on.

Imagine, how different the world and our experience could be if we could let go of the idea that we want to be somewhere, other than where we are at this very moment.

It seems like a profound idea, but should it be?

After all, we’re where we’re supposed to be until we’re not.

No job, no problem: here’s a list of 10 things to do while unemployed.

1. Learn a skill.
2. Read a book.
3. Go to the library.
4. Exercise; get in shape.
5. Learn a Language.
6. Plant a garden.
7. Learn a musical instrument.
8. Do volunteer work.
9. Go for a walk.
10. Start a journal.

1. Learn a skill. What does it take to learn a skill? Usually time and patience. When you’re unemployed time is in great supply. Use that time to do something productive; learn woodworking, plumbing, electrical or something else where you can build or repair something. These aren’t just great things to know, they’re practical and can help a great deal in every day life.

2. Read a book. When you’re unemployed there’s nothing but time to read that book you’ve had sitting on your night stand forever. Secondarily, reading is great way to escape from the doldrums of unemployment.

3. Go to the library. Get curious. Go to the library and learn about something. Someone, though, I can’t remember who at this point, once told me that a library card is one of the most important things you’ll ever have. That’s a philosophy I believe, and lived by. Check out the local library.

4. Exercise; get in shape. You have lots of time; move, exercise, do some yoga… you’re not rushed, so go ahead and walk to your daily errands. Exercise also serves to get out those energies that collect in your being when you’re out of work. Get movin’!

5. Learn a language. It takes time to learn a language. Use your unemployment freedom to acquire a foreign tongue. During one unemployment stint I started a translation of the Tao Te Ching, which I’m still working on today, and may be for quite a while longer…

6. Plant a garden. A garden, a flower box, or a flower bed can be a great way to not feel so disconnected from the world. Periods of unemployment, when your friends, spouse, etc. are working can be lonely. Cultivating soil and planting is a timeless and ancient endeavor that can connect you with the earth. I’ve found it especially peaceful to embrace this natural world during when struggling with employment woes.

7. Learn a musical instrument. Everyone has a piano, guitar, recorder or some other kind of musical instrument they’re not using. Get your hands on a musical instrument and try to pick it up. Nothing is so relaxing as a plunking out a few chords on a piano or a strumming a guitar. The cost of admittance is low, and it can be really rewarding and relaxing.

8. Do volunteer work. People need help and can’t afford to pay — offer your time. You won’t be paid in cash, but you will be paid in kindness and good will, things are often, but not always, in short supply during periods of unemployment. Too often, when I’ve been faced with unemployment, I’ve resorted to feeling better by eating a Big Mac, or an entire supreme pizza, there are better and more healthful ways to get recharged… try volunteer work.

9. Go for a walk. In the rush of daily living that usually encompasses the gainfully employed how often did you get the opportunity to walk around your neighborhood. This is kind of a dove-tail into #4, but I wanted it to be separate, and not about exercise, but rather about exploring your locale. Be a tourist in your own town. Go out walking, look around, meet people, and connect with the world around you. It’s so simple, and so rewarding, yet it’s also very challenging to do when you’re working… make the best out of the unemployment time, because even though it’s dreadful at times, it won’t last forever.

10. Keep a journal. Unemployment can be a real bummer vitality suck. Write about your experiences and get the the thoughts and energies out there. Writing can be a cathartic and healing process that can allow you to get in touch with yourself. Keep a journal or put together a blog. Writing down the trials and triumphs can settle the madness of unemployment down.

Unemployment doesn’t last, but it is lasting longer and longer for folks out there. For me, personally, I’ve tried or done all of these things in periods of lay-off or unemployment before. Being unemployed sucks, but if you can keep your body and mind alive and feeling good through work and exercise, you’ll make it through happier and more satisfied. You will get through it, but like any prisoner of circumstance knows, doing good time is the goal.