Adding a year to your life ain't so bad especially when you're surrounded with people you love. I embrace that thought now.
Twelve years ago, when I turned twenty, I felt old and awkward. I don't like the feeling of having to act in a way that I should be formal, serious and responsible.
That time I just graduated from college. My life suddenly became a whirlwind! One month after graduation, I found myself working in a cable company. I was one of the pioneers. I started as a Programming Coordinator, rose to Programming Supervisor in less than six months, promoted to being a Channel Head (of a cable program provider-sister company), and later (finally) to a Programming Consultant. I also did freelance writing in two television networks. To top it all, I enrolled in a film scriptwriting workshop, an education certificate course and a masteral program.
Back them I was known as a certified beer drinker. Actually, not only "beer" I love to drink (alcoholically speaking), I also love gin, tequila, margarita, long island, vodka, even brandy. Don't get me wrong though. I can get tipsy yes, but not overly-drunk. Well, sometimes yeah. But most of the time, I can still get a cab and arrive home unscathed. I drink socially, not really because of problems. Most of the time, I find beer as a partner.
And because I was so busy thinking of work/s and studies (and beer), I hardly thought of myself. Some days, I just wanted to stay in bed and hope the world forgets I exist.
Married life came. Despite all my fears of starting a family and becoming bored, the first years of being married turned out to be a blast. I dropped my job and focused on being a teacher in the college level. I was sleep-deprived for almost two years because of the effect of my fertility medication.
Five years later and I turned thirty. Things suddenly became easy. Finally, I am now taking things one day at a time. I learned to be kinder to myself. I went out with my friends. I started buying beautiful things for myself. It was also during that time, surprisingly, that I started accessorizing myself with cute stuff --- fancy and colorful jewelry!
And now, I am thirty-two, a full-time housewife. I look back at the years gone by, and, I don't have regrets. I had mistakes, but I call them “learning experiences” now. They put me in the right direction. Thank God for them! Because who wants to leave as dumb as you started?
I learned a lot from my profession and vocation, and from the people I worked with.
From the corporate world, I learned that a company is about employees who are growing, professionally and personally. This means helping them improve their livelihood, and, in the process, learn to live a fuller life. In the end, they are better off financially, but they're also smarter because they're curious and learning.
When I became a teacher, I come to know that fulfillment is not measured by material things. Whenever I see that my students are able to grasp and apply whatever I taught them, it gives me a different kind of high! Seeing my students graduate and become professionals, make me proud of myself even more! And these happiness and fulfillment are not measured by money.
Over the years, I realized that to lead is to serve. I now focus on being a good human being. The results will take care of themselves. I try to add value anywhere I can. I learned that there should be a lot of training about how to work with our heart.
Michael Jordan once remarked: “I've missed more than 9,000 shots. I've lost almost 300 games. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Truly, success is a by-product of our habits. We should be focused on learning how to do the right things well and completely so that what all of us do actually makes an impact. Success happens when preparation meets opportunity. Make sure you are prepared for what you want to be. And believe in yourself.
We cannot allow anyone or anything to pull us down or degrade us. We must begin by loving ourselves. We should remember that we are blessed.
