3rd of May 2008, it was work as usual, but the headline on the newspaper had an impact in my heart as a Cyclone had hit Myanmar the previous day in which we saw many thousands dead, homeless or helpless. Perhaps then even as I can recall now, I have tried to live life as it is just by following up with the news and having a sense of sympathy for the people. But on the 12th of May, the plates of the earth moved again. This time it is China, Si Chuan. It was a horrendous sight as we see many young lives taken, homeless, disabled or orphanage due to a major Earthquake. My steps grew heavy as I stepped out of the door having read the headline with many thoughts running through. But once in the office, I had to be back to the usual self as I battled through the day once again in the corporate world of sales with a team I was leading. It was just the usual routine in which the clock ticked away late into the night with myself all exhausted, longing to be in bed and putting all my thoughts or feelings away.
The next day, as I was having lunch with one of my colleague and I asked if her husband is fine as he works in China that I came to the realization – “My dad is in China!” Yes, he is not staying with me and we don’t communicate frequently. Even so, that was not a reason for me to forget that he is in China. Shocked – I was. I remembered tears were piling up at the tip of my eyes even though I did not cry. Those tears were not because of shock, it was simply because of disappointment. Disappointment with myself as how can I forget my own dad’s where about?!? I quickly picked up the phone and tried to make contact with him but both the China and Singapore number didn’t work. It was only in the later part of the day that I managed to contact him to know that he is safe and sound and just returned to Singapore! At the end of that uneventful day, I was frustrated with myself. I had to face the question which had been asking me for the past 2 months or should I say be avoiding for the past 2 years or more – “What am I doing with my life?”
As the news of the tragedy continued to escalate, at the end of the month – I left my job (I have state clearly that this is not the main reason why I left my job then though it did play a part of it). It is not that my boss doesn’t pay me well. In fact, I must say I must be thankful for the salary given as it almost doubled my previous employment (not to mention I still had commission and bonuses). Within a short period of corporate working experience and with the qualification I possess, I must say I went up the corporate ladder rather fast to attain the position I was at and I was thankful for it. But it was also clear to me that I know how I have chose to allow myself to be robbed of the time and energy in things which I know one fine day, will just be of no value and vanished away. Was it worth it all then? In addition, have I become a salve to money or follower of the trends of the world? Isn’t there a more meaningful way in which I can devote myself in?
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that we have to quit our job or it is not good to work. In fact, we are made to work! We should also give of our best at work but work should not be all that there is in life. We do not live only to work! It is the balance we have to attain that matters. Is your work getting so overwhelming that your mind thinks only about work? Is all your time so consume with work that you have time for nothing else? If it is, it is a major out of balance! It will be good for you to question about the motivation in which you are working for? It is perhaps good to take time and sit down and re-evaluate your life. I am not cursing you but think with me. At death bed, is work all you want to recall at the final moment of life? Are you going to regret over the people you have failed to treasure more?
You have to remember that all that you can attained, be it wealth or accomplishments or recognition or success cannot be brought along with you when it is time to depart from this world. In this world that we are living in, it is so often said, “Time is money”. Time is indeed the greatest commodity in our hands because it can never be reverse.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15,16
How can you spend time more meaningfully then? Would you then invest your time more wisely in the light of eternity?
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