"He is no fool who
gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Jim Elliot wrote in his journal on October 28, 1949.
On 30th June, 2014, I
too will give up something.
It would be accurate to
say I'm attracted to the "people" industry and that attraction may
have led to a career in Human Resources. Many who are serious about HR pursue
the coveted CHRP (Certified Human Resource Practitioner) designation, and I
decided to head there. In 2008 I was inducted into the CCHRA, the Canadian
Council of Human Resources Association.
I re-certified in 2011,
but since I had shifted into project management, finding credits to maintain
the designation proved challenging. Relocating did not help as I had to leave
behind the mentoring post that would have added valuable points.
While still in the post
of project manager, I decided to return to HR, and sent out resumes
accordingly. But like Cinderella's carriage that lasted for a time, those
offers were no longer coming my way. It became evident to
those around me that the corporate world was fast becoming a thing of the past,
and a new era of writing, publishers, guilds and media replaced the HR focus in
a smooth and natural flow. But I had studied hard and invested a ton of money
into HR education, prep courses and formal exams. I was fond of my title that
showed my proven expertise in a field where many dreaded to tread and where
many failed too. I was vested in my CHRP.
June 2014 is the month
for recertification. Nothing short of a miracle would provide the 200 credits
needed.
I considered
volunteering but the bumps were too well placed to be coincidental. The
companies I approached did not need volunteers. Some did not respond to my
cold-call emails. I had spent my entire life in church but churches could not
accept me as their by-laws only allowed elected members in the capacities I
sought.
Recently, still
searching for ideas to maintain the designation, I heard out of the blue space
the whisper of a name. "Ann V." I couldn't spell the
last name but I had glimpsed the dark-haired author once on the television
program, 100 Huntley Street, although I had not read her book nor even knew its
title.
Landing on her website I read
two simple lines. "I had a full-tuition scholarship to university and
never finished. I married a Farmer instead & came home to gravel road &
cornfields." (http://www.aholyexperience.com/ann-voskamp/)
Peace settled.
I too had married a
farmer. One with emerald eyes that the stone on my engagement ring attempted to
mimic. And I came home to canola fields and cats.
"GIVE IT UP,"
God was saying. And I was released from the designation to the destination He had planned for me.
I'll continue to be a "CHRP-less"
member of the Saskatchewan Association of Human Resources Professionals and
live by the ethics. I know that my love for people and compassion for humanity is
spurred by the mind of Christ. I've picked up His cause as my cause, and I only
need to hear from Him in order to be successful.
Are you struggling to
let go?
(An excerpt from "Insights into Being Successful Right Where
You Are" coming later in 2014).
Susan Harris latest book Remarkably
Ordinary - 20 Reflections on Living Intentionally Right Where You Are is
available at your favourite Amazon site. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JICVCQM
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00JICVCQM
Susan Harris is a former teacher in Management of Business.
Her credentials include a B.Sc. in Management Studies, post-graduate diploma in
Education, Diploma in Writing, Diploma in Human Resources and Industrial
Relations, Certificate in Theology. She holds membership with the Canadian
Council of Human Resources Association (until June 30, 2014) and notable
writing groups in Canada. She is the author of four books - Remarkably Ordinary, Golden Apples in Silver
Settings (White Lily Press), Little
Copper Pennies and Little Copper
Pennies for Kids (Borealis Press). Alphabet
on the Farm will be released in the fall from Borealis Press. Susan was born on the tropical island of Trinidad but now
lives in the city of Melville with her husband, daughter and the gregarious
cats, where she is on contract as Tourism & Economic Development Manager.
Find Susan at:
http://susanharris.ca
https://www.facebook.com/SusanHarrisCanadianAuthor
https://twitter.com/SusanHarris20
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