What's In Their Lives
There are times during my day-time job in which I'm not that occupied with paper works or entertaining any guests. So it's during these times that I get an opportunity to talk and get to know some of my co-workers from different departments (in short, magchika). I really do love talking to people especially when they are years older than me because their life stories and experiences are very interesting and have a lot of lessons to be learned. I mean, I think we all get different lessons from each other right? Regardless of age, gender, or status.
I've talked to this co-worker of mine and he's 52. We talked about his life from when he was in his twenties, until he got married, then worked abroad, then about when his marriage fell apart, and how he is with his current life now. Here's my favorite part of our conversation:
(translated in English)
Me: After all that you've been through until where you are now, do you have any regrets?
Him: You know Cidra? It's inevitable to have regrets in some parts of our life. But right now, I'm looking at it positively. I may not have a luxurious life like I used to have before, my wife and kids may have left me, and I may be living a thousand kilometers away from my family, but I'm still blessed. God still blessed me with a new family and a son that inspires me to work harder every day and to always go home happy and healthy. My salary right now is not as big as I used to earn as a seaman but it's still enough to feed them. I'm happy right now Cidra, whatever happened in the past, I'm still happy and still counting my blessings.
Me: *in awe and speechless for like 15 seconds*
Him: You must be wondering how could I think this way?
Me: Yes! I mean, how?
Him: At first there came a point where I cursed God and I became miserable for a year. But one day I woke up realizing that I shouldn't just give up because I know it's not over and I can start again. So I did. And those challenges I met before, just made me mentally, spiritually, and emotionally stronger. And so my advice to you, whatever you are going through right now - it may be about career, love life, family, or friends, be thankful. Because those challenges are there, not to punish you, but to make you stronger.
After our talk, I was like "Damn, wala ray kumingking ning akong mga kaagi sa ilang mga naagian." He just made me realize that I should really count on my blessings more than on my problems. Some people have it worst than I have but still they're very thankful. How much more I, right? It's true what they say, happiness is a choice.
Another one, I've talked to another co-worker and she's 41. I saw a picture of her kids on her phone's wallpaper when she asked me to make a call for her using her phone. And so, I asked about her kids until our conversation went to way back when she married early, had kids, had a booming career, until when her husband left her and a lot has changed. This is probably my favorite part of our conversation:
(translated in English)
Me: Did it ever crossed your mind to look for another job that would allow you to have more time with your daughters?
Her: It did. But starting on a new job would mean a smaller wage and I don't know if I'm ready for that. I'm a single mom and my priority right now is my daughters' future and be able to provide their needs. I'd rather be the one sacrificing than have my daughters suffer with me as well. I may be unlucky with my husband but I am very blessed with my kids Cindy. They're very kind and understanding with me and they always check up on me every day if I ate my lunch or if I have arrived safely in the office. They inspire me to work harder and they're the ones I look forward to when I go home. And so every night when I pray, I never forget to thank Him for blessing me with such amazing daughters.
I was so touched by her life story and it made me realized, God may take away something or someone from your life but He would also bless you in another way. It made me look into my own life and see that it's okay. It's okay to lose people or friends or anyone that God thinks is not meant to stay in your life. We may not know the reason now but we'll soon understand. I wish I was always like this, but still, it's okay Cindy. I'm a work in progress.
I've talked to several people about their life experiences and this article would be much longer if I put every one of them here. But my point is, all of us have our own journey, our own timeline, and our own set of challenges that would fit our character and would mold us to be a better future. But one thing is promised by God, my favorite bible verse:
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11
I've talked to this co-worker of mine and he's 52. We talked about his life from when he was in his twenties, until he got married, then worked abroad, then about when his marriage fell apart, and how he is with his current life now. Here's my favorite part of our conversation:
(translated in English)
Me: After all that you've been through until where you are now, do you have any regrets?
Him: You know Cidra? It's inevitable to have regrets in some parts of our life. But right now, I'm looking at it positively. I may not have a luxurious life like I used to have before, my wife and kids may have left me, and I may be living a thousand kilometers away from my family, but I'm still blessed. God still blessed me with a new family and a son that inspires me to work harder every day and to always go home happy and healthy. My salary right now is not as big as I used to earn as a seaman but it's still enough to feed them. I'm happy right now Cidra, whatever happened in the past, I'm still happy and still counting my blessings.
Me: *in awe and speechless for like 15 seconds*
Him: You must be wondering how could I think this way?
Me: Yes! I mean, how?
Him: At first there came a point where I cursed God and I became miserable for a year. But one day I woke up realizing that I shouldn't just give up because I know it's not over and I can start again. So I did. And those challenges I met before, just made me mentally, spiritually, and emotionally stronger. And so my advice to you, whatever you are going through right now - it may be about career, love life, family, or friends, be thankful. Because those challenges are there, not to punish you, but to make you stronger.
After our talk, I was like "Damn, wala ray kumingking ning akong mga kaagi sa ilang mga naagian." He just made me realize that I should really count on my blessings more than on my problems. Some people have it worst than I have but still they're very thankful. How much more I, right? It's true what they say, happiness is a choice.
Another one, I've talked to another co-worker and she's 41. I saw a picture of her kids on her phone's wallpaper when she asked me to make a call for her using her phone. And so, I asked about her kids until our conversation went to way back when she married early, had kids, had a booming career, until when her husband left her and a lot has changed. This is probably my favorite part of our conversation:
(translated in English)
Me: Did it ever crossed your mind to look for another job that would allow you to have more time with your daughters?
Her: It did. But starting on a new job would mean a smaller wage and I don't know if I'm ready for that. I'm a single mom and my priority right now is my daughters' future and be able to provide their needs. I'd rather be the one sacrificing than have my daughters suffer with me as well. I may be unlucky with my husband but I am very blessed with my kids Cindy. They're very kind and understanding with me and they always check up on me every day if I ate my lunch or if I have arrived safely in the office. They inspire me to work harder and they're the ones I look forward to when I go home. And so every night when I pray, I never forget to thank Him for blessing me with such amazing daughters.
I was so touched by her life story and it made me realized, God may take away something or someone from your life but He would also bless you in another way. It made me look into my own life and see that it's okay. It's okay to lose people or friends or anyone that God thinks is not meant to stay in your life. We may not know the reason now but we'll soon understand. I wish I was always like this, but still, it's okay Cindy. I'm a work in progress.
I've talked to several people about their life experiences and this article would be much longer if I put every one of them here. But my point is, all of us have our own journey, our own timeline, and our own set of challenges that would fit our character and would mold us to be a better future. But one thing is promised by God, my favorite bible verse:
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11
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