Put Yourself Out There

If there is one lesson that I've learned thus far from moving to Arizona, it's to put yourself out there and I'm having it taught to me in many ways.

First, I'm discovering that opportunities only happen if one makes his or her needs known. This lesson was driven home by someone I met recently named Tanya. She told me that she found her sublet simply by putting an ad on craigslist outlining exactly what she wanted: a furnished efficiency for $300 downtown with all utitilities included. Someone contacted her and she had a home. I know people have done this with jobs and rides as well. I wish I was smart enough to think of that myself - if I can get a dance partner online, I should be able to get housing and even a job - but I guess my practical ingeniuity needs help sometimes.

Second, Shey keeps telling me - like a broken record - to be open. I followed his advice when applying and interviewing for a job and I got it. I emailed the employer and told her who I was and what I was looking for. When I went to the interview, I didn't prepare - I simply went as I was. As weird as this sounds, I didn't think it would work. I thought people didn't want to hear you being genuine - they wanted to hear that you had the skills they were looking for. I was wrong.

I'm also learning that being open and honest is good advice in general. It's what Shey lives by and he seems pretty happy. Keeping to myself is partly an act of pride: I'm afraid that if I reveal too much truth about myself, I'll be humiliated. How does the saying go? "Better for the fool to keep his mouth shut than open it and prove it?" Being open is something I'll have to practice.