My Grandmother, My Hero! by Doug Mayberry on Creators.com

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My Grandmother, My Hero!

Q: My grandmother, who is a widow and now is 87, is my hero. During my lifetime, I have learned she is the happiest individual I know. She loves everyone she knows, is a happy camper, has a positive attitude, is receptive to change and manages her money. How she does it all l do not know, but I would like to write her life story. How could I do that?

A: As all writers understand, you must motivate yourself — just start writing. Tell your grandmother how much you love her and how you want to preserve the details of who she is and how she made her life happen. Schedule an interview with her every week of so. Make a list of questions to jog her memory. What were her grandparents like? Did they live on a farm? How many years did they go to school? How did they meet? What kind of work did they do? What church did they attend? What did they do for fun and entertainment? What motivated her most to become the person she is? What would she suggest you do with your life?

The bottom line is to have fun doing the biography together. Some days she may not feel well, so simply visit with her and tell her you will see her the following week. Can you think of a better gift than sharing a copy of your book to each member of your family?

Q: I have finished my Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts and want to move forward to a career. I do not know what that is yet. I have applied for numerous jobs over the last six months, without success.

My father believes that I should seek an internship or volunteering opportunity as soon as possible. I am frustrated and want a good job, not just a job! I do not like his idea, but so far I have not been successful doing it my way. Is my father right?

A: Yes, because he has more experience in getting and holding jobs. When a prospective employer reviews your resume and learns you have not worked since graduation, they automatically ask themselves "Why not?" Are you motivated enough?

Although employers know how challenging it is to find a good job, they often choose an applicant that has taken a job knowing it is below their expectations and abilities.

As you are not settled on a career path, it is difficult to focus your energies on a goal. This is the time to choose an option and attempt to find work that matches your passion. Your major often determines your prospects. Interviewers can always spot a sincere interest and willingness-to-learn attitude, even though the salary is minimal. Having a job helps to build a network and teaches you how to deal with people.

You may learn, as many of us have, the first few jobs were not what we chose, but the experience we gained moved our careers forward.

Say to yourself who you want to be, and then do what you have to do!

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.