II

Chapter 2 of my so-called 2nd life officially begins!

Today

The WAIT is almost over. I just received two great options last week - an offer from the Telecom Industry and another from Financial Security. Coming from FMCG, I would naturally lean towards Telecom which behaves and acts like FMCG in many ways than one. It is also a familiar territory with many of my peers from previous companies crossing fence to this industry and thriving. Several marketing people from my industry have also proven their worth in taking top management posts in this one.

However, after eight years of marketing experience in FMCG, the other option is getting to be more attractive to me. Maybe it is because I feel I already "graduated" from my current industry, earning a great share of bruises and badges from it. Maybe it is also because I am looking for a life-changing course at this point in my life. And truth be told, after my sabbatical, it has become clear to me where I want spend my next 5-10 years of professional life; in a company where people stay, grow and flourish together with my family, and it is in this one where I think I will find it.

Today I will sign the contract.

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"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference"

Waiting

It is clear to me now where I want to go. I have already cleared my head to know what I really want. I also have a good idea on how to get there. But as to when I should go there, I guess I just have to be contented in waiting for now.

Then again, waiting is not exactly my closest friend. So while waiting for the right time to come, I will keep myself busy doing other little things I want to do. And hopefully, at the chosen time, I will feel glad I have waited.

Pat. Pat. You will have your time, mister.

Surrender

I am determined to adopt a newly understood virtue in my life --- the often feared and misconstrued surrender. For an old dog like me, and a control freak at that, I must admit the process is quite slow and agonizing. Thanks to my wife and a recent experience, I was pushed against the wall to appreciate this virtue and the goodness it can bring to my life.

Letting go of the things I have been holding on for so long has been the biggest challenge for me so far. However, I come to realize that before I get to hold on to new and better things, I have to open my hands and let go of everything. It may be true I have been holding on to many a treasure but I must admit I have also been holding a lot of worms. These worms have been making me live the kind of life a lot lesser than me and my family deserve.

I do pray that once I have cleared my hands of everything and cleansed it, I will be able to pick up the things I truly treasure and still have room to pick new and better things. To bene vita.

Name

I just stumbled into this link. The meaning of my name may be a mouthful but I tend agree with what is mostly written...
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What JOUB Means

You are fair, honest, and logical.
You are a natural leader, and people respect you.
You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries.
You are rational enough to see every part of a problem.
You are great at giving other people advice.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.
You are solid and dependable.
You are loyal, and people can count on you.
At times, you can be a bit too serious.
You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are a very lucky person.
Things just always seem to go your way.
And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries.
You just hope for the best in life.
You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy.
Spread your luck around a little to people who need it.

You are full of energy.
You are spirited and boisterous.
You are bold and daring.
You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things.
Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble.
You can have a pretty bad temper at times.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/outcome.php

Better

My so called "new life" started more than a month ago. But reality kicks in and I am made to realize I do not have a new body to start with it. I am 28 and yet I already have worn out eyes, wearing special glasses for my high astigmatism. I have recurrent neck, shoulder and backpain that needs massaging every other week to lessen the tension. My knees, ankles and neck joints are clicking like I already have arthritis. I easily get exhausted. I am battling with the bulge with my tummy growing bigger every year. My memory is also failing me from time to time and it is harder to focus on what I am doing more than ever.

My battle plan: Consider lasik for my eyes. Stick to my diet and exercise program to fight body atrophy. Read. Read. Read. Brush up on my grammar, vocabulary and general knowledge. Join a retreat. Write things down to lessen forgetfulness.

I may not have a new body for this new life but let me start by making whatever I have better:) It will be such a waste if my own body will prevent me from living a better life.

Moment

"Dad, are you okay?", my three-year old son worriedly asked me.
I didn't realize I was already deep in thought, thinking of a better life I want to provide my family, when he blurted this. I was driving to the mall this morning with him in tow. There must have been ten minutes of awkward silence in the car as my mind wandered off, that made him worry.

I pulled over the car to the side of the road and looked at him dearly.
"Dad is okay. Thank you," then I moved him and the carseat from the back to sit next to me.

I continued driving off to the supermarket as I held my son's hand and patted his shoulder, realizing there is no better place to be at that moment than to be where I am.