It wasn't a tough decision to make

Another person decided to leave the firm I work in. After 18 years with the firm, he finally threw in the towel. It was surprising to say the least because he didn't seem the type that would leave especially having spent a good half of his life in the firm.

He was nice guy I first met about 3 years back when I first joined the firm. He was a funny guy and always cheerful every time I met him and there's was plenty of jokes when we had small talk in the lift, passing by in the loo or by the water cooler.

His resignation did come as surprise even for the top brass. Corridor talk has it that he was never really a performer in the firm, wasn't someone you'd know for being very good at what he does.

I guess after 18 years, some people need a change. At least that's what I thought. Not until I had a short conversation with him. I thought he had a better job offer somewhere out there. It was quite the opposite actually.

"I heard you decided to leave. When's your last day?"

"Yea. Last day was supposed to be 16th this month but the partner asked me to hang on out until 30th to help out with the July peak period."

"Must have been a really good deal for you to decide to leave the firm."

"Not at all bro. In fact, I am getting much less than what I am getting here. Virtually half my salary here!"

"No kidding! Then why leave?"

"You see, I have a son who requires special needs. He's autistic and it doesn't help being a single parent. Working here doesn't help in trying to spend time with him. My mother has to help watch over him while I work everyday. The long hours here simply doesn't help me in making sure he grows up well. Almost everyday my mother calls me up to tell me the young guy is crying and looking for me. He cries almost everyday missing me. He needs me. The new job gives me more time to spend with my kid. Getting a lower a salary is a foregone conclusion."

"Sorry to hear about your kid and having to be a single parent. Must have been tough on you."

"All part of life. It's not easy but he's still my child."

"Did you have think long before deciding to resign? You are foregoing quite a good sum with this move."

"It wasn't a tough decision to make. In fact, to me the decision I had to make was very clear. That kid means more to me than anything else put together. He needs me and I haven't been there for him most of the time."

I shook his hand wishing him all the best in advance in case I didn't meet him before he left. The conversation really left an impression in my mind. Whilst most of us go through the grind of trying to earn big bucks, there are those out there who are simply much more enlightened than us who think too much of financial rewards. Being there for his son clearly made it more rewarding for him.

When it comes to family bonds, even a big fat cheque can seem insignificantly minute to those who understand how it feels to be able to love another.

All it takes is a little encouragement

"A Life at Work" by Thomas Moore is currently the book I am reading. I have reached about half way so far and it has really given me a lot of in sight about my destiny or at least pointers to get me on my way to figure out what my life work is (i.e. your ideal work, work that fulfills you from the inside, food-for-the-soul kind of work). It's still a work in progress thing for me; a long way from reaching the full discovery point (if I ever reach it). Your life work can be as simple as helping old folks in need in a nursing home to something as simple as being a life guard. Simplest of work can be the most rewarding to a person's hear that's deep down. Of course, there's no denying that it is different for everyone. But sometimes, if not all the time, all it takes is a little encouragement from the people around you. Sometimes it is as simple as, "a job well done chump!" or "way to go bud!" or "you hit the home run mate!" or even

one foot in the past, another in the future........ what about the present?

All of us go through a cycle, what we commonly call - the past, present and the future. It can probably be summed up by this simple phrase: " we come from the past to be in the present and look forward to the future ". Now, what I want you to do is take a step back, or just give your mind a minute or two to digest the above mentioned phrase. Ask yourself if it applies to you. Really ask yourself; and I mean REALLY ask yourself in the most honest of manner, whether it really applies to you. You may find it difficult to arrive at a 'yes' and even if you do, you probably find yourself in a paralysis state of mind trying to justify the 'yes'. If you really ponder about it, you are likely to find that most of us would find this phrase more relevant instead: " we come from the past and look forward to the future " You will find many of us either hang on to the past or look far too forward into the future, or likely for some to even be dwelling too much in

Quick update.........

Having graduated last year in August and taking a break in Australia visiting my brother for a month, I really felt good about everything. Things just got better after that, having landed a job at Ernst & Young! :) Aaaaaahhhhh.... how fast time actually goes by! Passing the 10th of January 2007, I have already been working for 3 months. The feeling of getting older and learning new things everyday at work brings about a feeling of satisfication. Although, work is generally tough and tedious (what do you expect in the auditing line?). I must admit though, when I fast started off I did feel demotivated and some what unhappy with the job having to go back home at 3am and back to work by 8am the next day. I did think about quitting at that time........ :( However, a miracle happened to me! That miracle brought along a girl named Vern Cheng. Without her support, I would have struggled a lot more. After work, just seeing her brings about a feeling of happiness and a feeling of being cont

Joanna WoonJune 16, 2010 at 3:53 AM
Back in SG, I received a call that my mom was hospitalized. I was working that day and after receiving that call, my hand shivered so hard that I could not even hold a pen. Also my health was not at its peak & falling sick too frequently.

So I made a decision to come back here. And yes, I am making half lesser than what I used to earn. But the family support and having close ones around is more rewarding.

:)

The Path of Time

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