On Pragmatism and Focus

Fit as a fiddle but my mind has been restless these past few days. I dunno, but the more I stay at home and do nothing, the more I'm urged to go out and be busy. Boredom kills and the fact that my allowance is limited is also something to worry about. Haha! 

Well, I guess I'd have to deal with my current situation for quite some time until I finally get back to work. 

Problem is, WHERE'S WORK?! Haha! 

It's been a month now since I came back from that SG journey and I am still a bum. It's not that I didn't have job interviews or offers. In fact, I've had five already and even turned down one sure job opportunity in search of a better option (the rest, I'm still waiting). I don't know if that's another bad decision but all I know is that if you think you deserve better, then push for it; go for the best. I just hope that God won't get tired of giving me chances and won't punish me for being too choosy. ILY, Lord! :) 

When I asked my mom earlier, "Nay, san kaya next kong work?," she told me, "Sa kangkungan!" and I was like, "Ang supportive nyo lang ha!" And we both laughed. I know she wanted to stress something to me with those words. That's what I like about my mom. She knows how to live life. I know that she feels what I feel but makes it a point not to miss out on the "magical moments" a day brings. Unlike me who thinks a lot about the future and ends up frowning. Haha!  

To a certain extent, I think I get what she implied. I've been given options but when something concrete's about to materialize, I change my mind and challenge myself even more. I don't see anything wrong with being ambitious but I guess I also need to be pragmatic. Wonders don't happen in a snap. If I wanna get THERE, I have to start SOMEWHERE! 

Realigning my career was one. Finding a training ground is another. My previous employment , although a happy one, had its flaws, too. My job title didn't match the things that I was actually doing for the organization. Crazy, huh? Yeah. Long story, though. Now, I chose to penetrate the Communications World where I know I should be and it has been a challenge for me to explain every now and then to new employers about what I used to do. But that's that and I have to deal with it.   

So far, I'm still hopeful that I'll land my envisioned job soon and in a company that will really exhaust my talents. I know I have a lot to give. A chance is all I need. 

Lessons from Santiago

Since I am still living the life of a bum, my objective everyday is to look for things that will keep me occupied. Haha! Yeah. Most people would probably envy my lifestyle but it's not easy, I'm telling you! LOL

Anyway, a few days ago, I was able to finally get back into reading. I've been reading (or should I say 'just browsing') David Archuleta's autobiography (Chords Of Strength) for like years already since I bought it in 2008 (I think) and still fail at finishing the book because I was so busy working back then. I saw this employment break as the chance to finish it. Voila! Downed it in a day. I just felt that it was an obligation, as a fan, to read it. :)  

The following day, which was yesterday, I started reading Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. A college friend lent me this book during one of those gimmicks we've had when I was still in Manila. I think she saw the need for me to read Coelho's words and lessons as I was so unsteady that time with life in general. When she gave me that book, I managed to flip through the first few pages and eventually got bored. Haha! I dunno. It's just that back when I still have work, all I wanted to do was work and play. So fast forward, I finished the book today.  

Took me two days but with breaks, of course, since I also have gym and other activities. So why am I sharing this? Haha! Well, I'm not here to review the book because I don't think I have the capacity to do it. And besides, I think most people have already read this. I just want to share the impact that the book had on me.

Timely reading. That's how I put it. The book was here in my drawer for so long and it was only now that I came to discover this treasure. As what the book would always say, Maktub! (It's all written!) I was meant to have read this NOW. I think this is God's way of telling me "Everything will be alright. You'll see." 

I love how Coelho captured the emotions and worries I have right now and replaced them with optimism. I love how he presented life's lessons in a simple story that almost everyone could understand. Somehow, the book managed to straighten the path I'm taking right now and made it clearer. It's still blurry, though, but I see life now in a different light -- that all the things happening to us right now are just parts of the bigger picture; of our own "Personal Legends." God is just showing us the beauty of life through experiences but eventually, He'll lead us to our  respective treasures.

After reading the book, I immediately sent my friend (the one who lent me this) a message via Facebook, thanking her and apologizing for not returning the book yet. Haha! She was so happy that I finally got to finish it. But more to that, she was happy that I was able to decipher the lessons it has. She even gave me the book already so I can repeat it whenever I want to. LOL

I also think I've gone a bit crazy after reading it since I would share life lessons to my cousins out of nowhere. Haha! And even though they won't take me seriously, I know in my heart that I have been touched by this book.

So who's willing to lend me more Coelho novels? Haha! Guess I'll have to invest. 

By the way, Santiago is the name of the lead character in the book. :p