Answers that make no sense!

[youngmaid]

Hello All,

I hope that all is well with you!

I'm in a foreign city, my visa's going to run up in a few months and I need to start planning.

I asked the I Ching: What will be the effect of remaining in my current city? I got 15 unchanging.

I also asked: What will be the effect of moving back home before my visa runs up? I got 35.5 > 12.

At first I was like, YES! What a clear answer! Move back and you get progress, it's all good! UNTIL I got to the relating hexagram, 12 Stagnation.

Like, what does that mean? Progress to stagnation? How frustrating! I've read archives, but I'm still confused. The road ahead just seems so nebulous!

I then asked: What do I need to know about my life right now, or in the immediate future, that will have an effect on this situation? I got 60.1.3.6 to 57.

I get that: your options are limited, work with what you have right now, gently influence the way you want to go.

But what's up with these other hexagrams?!

Thanks for reading this! Sorry for my consternation.

 

[willowfox]

I asked the I Ching: What will be the effect of remaining in my current city? I got 15 unchanging. ***This suggests that if you remain then your circumstances will be pretty much unchanged, life just goes on as they say.

I also asked: What will be the effect of moving back home before my visa runs up? I got 35.5 > 12.

***Of course in the beginning its going to be difficult as work may not be easy to come by, money may be in short supply as well, so there will be both losses and gains involved in the move but it could indeed be the next step to take. ("before my visa runs up?" Up where?) Hex 12 suggests employment maybe hard to find.

I then asked: What do I need to know about my life right now, or in the immediate future, that will have an effect on this situation? I got 60.1.3.6 to 57. *****This suggests that you are currently enduring various forms of "limitation", you are on a visa, you seem stuck in your present job, your financial situation is poor, as far as I know you are not entitled to state benefits etc. and obviously if you remain in London then the situation will remain the same. A rather poor existence for at least a while longer, so the only thing that you can do under those circumstances is is keep searching for something better. All big cities are a struggle, so any progress will be made by knowing the "right" people.

 

[arabella]

Hexagram 57 always suggests persistence to me. Not the "if they throw you out the door crawl in the window" type of persistence, but the every day, keep after it, don't quit, and stay alert type. It seems there is an opportunity that you will encounter, but it's not found immediately nor easily. Are you networking enough? Look around for instance, for a business network organisation that suits your industry or situation and get to their workshops and social functions. Hexagram 57 is one that says "don't just meander." Which means to make your effort count, put the emphasis and influence where it will matter most, rather than applying it in a random way. These skills will stand you in good stead throughout life, so learning them and getting creative with them is in no way wasted.

 

[youngmaid]

I asked the I Ching: What will be the effect of remaining in my current city? I got 15 unchanging. ***This suggests that if you remain then your circumstances will be pretty much unchanged, life just goes on as they say.

I also asked: What will be the effect of moving back home before my visa runs up? I got 35.5 > 12.

***Of course in the beginning its going to be difficult as work may not be easy to come by, money may be in short supply as well, so there will be both losses and gains involved in the move but it could indeed be the next step to take. ("before my visa runs up?" Up where?) Hex 12 suggests employment maybe hard to find.

I then asked: What do I need to know about my life right now, or in the immediate future, that will have an effect on this situation? I got 60.1.3.6 to 57. *****This suggests that you are currently enduring various forms of "limitation", you are on a visa, you seem stuck in your present job, your financial situation is poor, as far as I know you are not entitled to state benefits etc. and obviously if you remain in London then the situation will remain the same. A rather poor existence for at least a while longer, so the only thing that you can do under those circumstances is is keep searching for something better. All big cities are a struggle, so any progress will be made by knowing the "right" people.

Hi Willowfox,

Absolutely everything you said broadened my perception of this situation. I take everything to heart, and I'm going to act accordingly. Thank you.

 

[youngmaid]

The last straw

Hexagram 57 always suggests persistence to me. Not the "if they throw you out the door crawl in the window" type of persistence, but the every day, keep after it, don't quit, and stay alert type. It seems there is an opportunity that you will encounter, but it's not found immediately nor easily. Are you networking enough? Look around for instance, for a business network organisation that suits your industry or situation and get to their workshops and social functions. Hexagram 57 is one that says "don't just meander." Which means to make your effort count, put the emphasis and influence where it will matter most, rather than applying it in a random way. These skills will stand you in good stead throughout life, so learning them and getting creative with them is in no way wasted.

Hi Arabella,

Thank you so much for coming to my rescue! You're right, I need to get involved with the right people. I've been meeting LOADS of people related to my industry in the past few weeks, so I'm going to have to seriously get my network on and make some magic happen.

"Not the "if they throw you out the door crawl in the window" type of persistence, but the every day, keep after it, don't quit, and stay alert type. It seems there is an opportunity that you will encounter, but it's not found immediately nor easily."

This comment was eerily prescient Arabella. Seriously, just sent tingles down my spine. I've totally been making connections, and will continue to do so, as I'm getting involved with young creative professionals who've not quite made it yet, who could potentially become really good friends.

I've also been applying for jobs at bigger, better companies non-stop. Mercury Retrograde has been totally thwarting things [weird interview scheduling scenarios], but employers are getting back to me. So, I'm thinking that stuff is happening behind the scenes, due to past and present efforts, that might manifest later on.

That said, today's been weird. My boss totally started yelling at me. Like, angry tirade. Long story short, this book I'm working on has been totally mismanaged from the start and when the sh*t hit the fan, they gave ME the responsibility of getting it all together. I'm not PERFECT, but I've saved them from several lawsuits with my efforts. I'm not even qualified to do it, never done it before, but seriously, I saved this book. I'm an ASSISTANT (only been in publishing for one year) and I've had to piece stuff together on my own with little supervision as my managers (three in total) have NEVER given me clear instruction on how to complete my tasks properly. While she was yelling at me she kept on repeating "I don't know what's going on, I don't know what's going on" and, that's true: she, along with my other boss never KNEW what was going on, and that's why the book was such a mess in the first place.

I want to quit. Seriously, I can't be yelled at like that. It's abominable behavior, I think, especially since I've been so steadfast in my pursuit to try to get everything together. AND I've PRODUCED! The book is not doomed! Even though I made honest, rookie mistakes, I got it back on track!

I need a good recommendation from them though, so, although I'm inclined to go into the office tomorrow and tender my resignation, I know deep down that's not the best solution.

I asked: 'What do I need to do about this situation with my current company?' I got 16.2 to 40. This to me means, I need to rise above my anger and resentment, try to find mutual accord with them and, when the time is right, leave with no regrets or bad feelings.

I asked: 'Should I enact my "quit and find temp work" plan next week?' I got 29 unchanging. So that to me is an unequivocal "no".

I then asked: 'Since it's looking like I'm going to have to stay with my company for now, what is the likelihood that I'll get a better job in May or June?' I got 53.5.6 > 15. Relating back to your eerily prescient statement Arabella, this to me says that this new job is "developing", it's not gone down yet, but it's happening. To maximize the change, I'm going to have to network hardcore. The changing lines are really positive. I think hexagram 15 means that although I'll get a better job, it will be another Assistant position, same level I'm at now. Which is BEAUTIFUL to me, as I still have much to learn, but goodness knows, I need to get out of the place I'm at right now.

I know you, Willowfox, and everyone else on this forum are all busy people, but I would really appreciate your insight on this. I'm not deflated, I actually feel disturbingly liberated by today's conflict with my boss, but still, this is hard stuff and it would be an absolute privilege to get some advice on this situation.

Thank you all! I hope you're having a great day! Take care xx

 

[willowfox]

You need to hang in there for a while longer as May and June don't look very optimist for you in your job search, so you need to use this place as your base until the "day" finally arrives when you can leave.

As for the boss shouting at you, you are not in a position to fight back, so just blow the bad feeling out your a**, as the company doesn't own you and oneday you will be leaving anyway.

Don't make the mistake of quitting prematurely otherwise you may find yourself having to take a job in your local Iceland supermarket, and that wouldn't be much fun.

 

[youngmaid]

You need to hang in there for a while longer as May and June don't look very optimist for you in your job search, so you need to use this place as your base until the "day" finally arrives when you can leave.

As for the boss shouting at you, you are not in a position to fight back, so just blow the bad feeling out your a**, as the company doesn't own you and oneday you will be leaving anyway.

Don't make the mistake of quitting prematurely otherwise you may find yourself having to take a job in your local Iceland supermarket, and that wouldn't be much fun.

Hi Willowfox,

Thank you. I'm waiting for my day to arrive, HAHAHAHA! Blowing this confrontation out of my a** as we speak and flatulence never felt better! After today, Iceland sounds prime, but, you're right, I'm going to have to stay at my current company for a little while longer and see what happens.

Somehow, what you've said kind of relates to my initial question about whether to move back to L.A. or not. I'm starting to think of hexagram 12 in a totally different way. Like, although moving back to L.A. is the best thing to do, for some reason GETTING THERE will be stalled. Of course, as you pointed out, it'll be really hard to get a job once I land, but I'm starting to think that, for some reason, I might be forced to be modest (15-London-unchanging) and stay where I am right now, because getting back to L.A. before my current visa runs out is just completely unlikely, as London may suck me in for longer than I anticipated. I won't camp out illegally, but still, may have to renew unexpectedly.

Anyway, just a new take. No idea if it's a good hunch or not.

As always, I'm feeling WAY more positive with your insights and I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to help me allay the strife of life!

Have an awesome day! xx

 

[arabella]

No, I'm with Willow Fox, you don't want to do Hex 29. Stick with it, if she was hollering at you, somebody was probably hollering at her. If you have any rapport with her I'd take a quiet moment later on and outline the things you did that you thought kept the project on target with the best information you had. Just be really respectful and say you're sorry there has been any confusion about it. I mean, don't say you messed everything up if you didn't. But let her know that you feel the confusion is regrettable, because you were thinking you'd salvaged something for the Company and you're really disappointed to hear otherwise -- can she explain where things went wrong?

Don't walk out. That's bad for you with no upside. It would be better to be fired than to walk out. You might feel momentary satisfaction, but if they fire you they have to compensate you and if you quit, that often means there's no compensation at all. That's not from the IChing, just my own experience. I'd ask for a day off or something first to cool down. If it's a "job-job" not so vital. But if it's part of your career, it's a block in the building, so keep it intact.

You're right, it's a crap management style. There are loads of those out there, believe me. Few people are taught how to manage. They make more mistakes than anybody else usually. In another incarnation I used to produce opera and one of the conductors I worked with taught me something really valuable. I mean, there are egos and then there are OPERATIC EGOS, which you don't want to know about. Anyway, when one of these primadonnas would go off, he'd listen quietly and say, "let's have a five minute break here." Not even answer. Then he'd go to his dressing room, look calmly in the mirror and say, however many times it took, "Water off a duck's back." And when he'd come to a place that he could "face the music" again he'd walk back into the pit and get on with it. He never really confronted these people. He waited until they were sane again, and then he'd say, let's do that part over and see if we can nail it this time. I am not a calm person with a tiny ego, but he taught me to be smart anyway. Water off a duck's back.

 

[youngmaid]

No, I'm with Willow Fox, you don't want to do Hex 29. Stick with it, if she was hollering at you, somebody was probably hollering at her. If you have any rapport with her I'd take a quiet moment later on and outline the things you did that you thought kept the project on target with the best information you had. Just be really respectful and say you're sorry there has been any confusion about it. I mean, don't say you messed everything up if you didn't. But let her know that you feel the confusion is regrettable, because you were thinking you'd salvaged something for the Company and you're really disappointed to hear otherwise -- can she explain where things went wrong?

Don't walk out. That's bad for you with no upside. It would be better to be fired than to walk out. You might feel momentary satisfaction, but if they fire you they have to compensate you and if you quit, that often means there's no compensation at all. That's not from the IChing, just my own experience. I'd ask for a day off or something first to cool down. If it's a "job-job" not so vital. But if it's part of your career, it's a block in the building, so keep it intact.

You're right, it's a crap management style. There are loads of those out there, believe me. Few people are taught how to manage. They make more mistakes than anybody else usually. In another incarnation I used to produce opera and one of the conductors I worked with taught me something really valuable. I mean, there are egos and then there are OPERATIC EGOS, which you don't want to know about. Anyway, when one of these primadonnas would go off, he'd listen quietly and say, "let's have a five minute break here." Not even answer. Then he'd go to his dressing room, look calmly in the mirror and say, however many times it took, "Water off a duck's back." And when he'd come to a place that he could "face the music" again he'd walk back into the pit and get on with it. He never really confronted these people. He waited until they were sane again, and then he'd say, let's do that part over and see if we can nail it this time. I am not a calm person with a tiny ego, but he taught me to be smart anyway. Water off a duck's back.

Hi Arabella,

That's so my mantra now: "Water off a duck's back". I'm not going to internalize it, I'm just going to step back and commune when people are sane again. Thanks so much for imparting that wisdom to me. Like you, I'm not a calm person with a tiny ego either, and it would be easy to go off and tell people to kiss my butt, but sometimes (unfortunately!) it's not appropriate.

Thanks again for your help and support. I'll go to bed looking forward to tomorrow now and I really appreciate you for that.

Have an amazing day/night! xx