Throw an Unemployment Party

According to the US Department of Labor 7.2 million people were unemployed in the month of January 2006. This number reflects only those that have reported in to employment offices around the country. The number of people who no longer get unemployment benefits or who never reported their unemployment to the government offices would inflate that number dramatically. Add to those numbers all the people who have at some point in their lives been unemployed and the number would be truly staggering. Being unemployed creates feelings of inadequacy, humiliation, and fear. Depression sets in and before the pendulum swings back from the right the "I'm stuck in a rut" attitude becomes overwhelming. So, get up, take a deep breath and plan a party. Perhaps you know a group of people with the same unemployment status as you. Get them together for an Unemployed Lunch… or dinner…or whatever the mind can conjure up.

Misery loves company. Why be miserable alone? Call up anyone you know that has become unemployed. Perhaps people you've met in line at the government unemployment agency. Plan the party around comfort. You want to be comforted…you want to give comfort. Think about what makes you feel good. Is it a pot of hot soup, the smell of bread baking in the oven? Plan your party around comfort foods. Macaroni and cheese is inexpensive to make and one of the best-known comfort foods. In fact, many of what we call comfort foods are the good old stand bys from childhood days. Meatloaf, whipped potatoes, roast beef, spaghetti, fried chicken, ice cream, chocolate, and cookies. If serving lunch or dinner is out of the question consider cookies and coffee, tea, or be bold and serve large glasses of milk for dunking. There's no need for extravagance, make it simple. You might even challenge yourself; figure out how to have a party on a shoestring. The key is to be comforted by good conversation and tasty food before the work begins.