Chad Pennington's name is familiar to just about everyone in Huntington and anyone in the nation interested in football. He was a great quarterback for Marshall and went on to have a fine career with the New York Jets starting in 2000.

Then, this past summer, Chad received the message that he was no longer needed as the Jets' quarterback. The team decided to replace Chad with Brett Farve, another seasoned quarterback.

So, despite years of great playing and overcoming injuries, Chad was out. While he was not in danger of losing his home, car or family, Chad was handed an obvious defeat. And what he did with it is the message for the rest of us: Find another environment where you are appreciated and can succeed.

That may sound overly simplistic, and for some people second or third chances at success may be difficult to find. Many of us will encounter situations where goals are not met or achievements are lost. We can complain and feel sorry for ourselves or try and start anew.

Considering the job market these days, many of us know someone who has lost a job, or as the British say, been "made redundant."

It does not matter whether the employer explains a person's job loss is due to corporate restructuring or the company's financial difficulties; most of us hear the message that "you are out because your work was not good enough." Regardless of whether one is a top NFL player or a novice worker, being let go is discouraging and depressing.

Years ago, a young woman was employed as a receptionist for a small business. One Friday afternoon, her boss called her in to his office and explained that the firm was "downsizing" and she would no longer be needed.

Some co-workers implied that her outgoing personality just did not fit in. A few months later, after a very active job search, she was hired by a much larger company. The new group not only recognized her positive interpersonal skills and placed her in a more visible position but also offered her a much better salary.

Interpersonal rejections and losses also are extremely difficult to accept. But, as in work, play and other aspects of life, loss requires adjustments and moving on to new and more supportive social environments.

Very few people have the talent of Chad Pennington. Most of us will not win the kind of fame that makes us a household name. But even those with great skills and prominence may find that they are down and out for a while.

The same is true for the rest of us. We may find ourselves in a losing scenario at one or more points in our lives. Obviously things are different for Chad this year, especially as Miami defeated the Jets in their December game.

Even though the Miami Dolphins didn't win their playoff game on Sunday, they know that the New York Jets' decision regarding Chad is their gain. His play this past year is a good way to remind all of us that often there is joy and good times even after the loss of something we value. Moving on to a new job or relationship is rarely easy, but often it is what's needed for future success.

Diane W. Mufson is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Huntington. She is a citizen member of The Herald-Dispatch editorial board and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page. Her e-mail is dwmufson@comcast.net.

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