Giving talks to new joiners in my previous company was one of the things I loved doing. I spoke about technical matters and processes. But I liked it more when I discussed about the company’s core values especially those two which I strongly believed in, stewardship and integrity. Most of my attendees then were fresh graduates. You could see their eyes glowed with hope and excitement. At that point, anything was possible for them. They had a clean slate. It was a start of something new for them. A beginning.
A beginning is when we usually plan our directions. And this
is also when the reasons of what we’re about to do are clear and fresh. Our
objectives are in fine print. We know our agenda by heart before we start to walk towards our destination.
It’s not just in our jobs. It also applies in other things. Like
going to school. I can still remember my first day at kindergarten. I was very excited to wear my uniform, bring
my bag with all the new stuff in it. I wanted to
meet new friends. And most of all, I was looking forward to learn from my teacher. And after 16 years of studying, I can’t say that I never got sidetracked nor distracted by all those things happening around me. Temptations were part of a student’s life. Partying,
vices, material stuff, worldly pleasures, etc. Stories about people who got lured and succumbed
to these things are a dime a dozen. Fortunately I survived schooling without
forgetting my main objective and priority of why I was there. I went to school
to gain knowledge to prepare me for my future. And that's the thought that I held on to.
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| Keep your eye on the target |
Like a birth of an infant, the beginning is when the energy is overflowing. The baby's parents are full of optimism. They see limitless possibilities for their child. They feel like doing everything and giving anything for their beloved. But a lot of times, the “doing everything” is what bewilders them that they lose focus on their reason. I hope I won’t be a victim of that circumstance. By writing this down, maybe I would be reminded later on as a father.
Beginnings are there for a purpose. It can serve as a refresher
when we get distracted away from our target. Like how a troubled couple can go
back to the memories of their budding romance when they were younger. It rarely
fails to light up the fire. For it reminds them of how happy they were by just
being together. And it retells why they are beside each other at the present. It
makes them remember their promises at the start that they will love each other until
the end no matter what.
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| Going back to start isn't always that bad. |
Just like whenever I gave orientations to new joiners, I found myself
feeling that familiar enthusiasm I had when I started with my job. I had to exude that aura. I ensured that the
audience felt that. That enthusiasm made me stay there for seven years. I had a
goal when I began my job there. Then I
left. A bigger beginning was imminent at
that time and that decision was a more suitable option and my angry-self was concerned about me and
asked me to make a healthier choice. For every new target, there’s always a bigger
one behind it and our focus must lie there. Our aim on the big prize should not be distracted by the other
goals that come our ways. Our purpose and priority must always be what is
fundamental in our being and on what is necessary. And in case of aversion from our targets, keep in
mind that every moment can be a point where you can create a new beginning, or go back to do
the right thing.
