persistence

I've applied to another fifteen jobs this week; so far, I've gotten one interview. I enjoyed talking on the phone with the lady. We shall see. And, after that hellish interview that I had the other week, the guy had the courtesy to call and tell me that another person had the job. It's like I was telling the chief, I'm getting far better at reading people in an interview. Most interviewers lack imagination... or are just as bored with the process as I. Why in God's name would you ask a cliche question that demands a cliche answer? Tell me about yourself. "Well, I had blueberries for breakfast, and I really like the word "rambunctious". Billy Collins is my favorite poet. And, I firmly believe favorite colors are situational. I don't have any pets, but I do garden and my plants have names." I would love to be interviewed by Oscar Wilde or Billy Collins. Now that would be fun. I'm really tempted to follow Flannery O'Connor's lead when asked why do I want to teach: "Because I'm good at it." No doubt she delievered the line with a straight face and without a self-deprecating chuckle. One of the many reasons she's one of my all time heroes. Notice that she didn't make my interviewer list; that's because she'd flay people by accident. She was a natural. Well, I'd have to be extremely well-rested and the height of my confidence to enjoy an interview with her. She was smart as hell; and, it's like she said, "The truth will make you odd."

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So I met for spiritual direction with my monk last night. It's always entertaining and edifying and never feels particularly sacred, but I always leave with my soul a little lighter. I leave with morsels to think about. It reminds me of the desert fathers tradition of going to an elder asking, "Father, give me a word." The old monk would say a sentence and the young monk would go off and live with the word until he had incorporated it into his life. Then ten or twenty years later, the young monk would return to the old monk and ask for another word. I talk about the connections I've made, my ideas and my coping mechanisms. He's very good at telling apropos stories. I think last night could be summed up with reframing vocation from the question of what to the question of who. And, he commended running and reading as a good spiritual exercises.

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Whoever said anybody has a right to give up? –Marian Wright Edelman I'm adopting this quotation.