I ADMIT that there are days when I really just want to stop and quit.
It’s a double whammy when your loved ones are not by your side, during your most trying times. It draws and drains you of all your courage and strength.
But then again, if things were easy, there would be no sweet victories. If there are no struggles, then life would have less meaning. Triumph can’t be had without struggles – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I try to remind myself everyday to see my personal and business ordeals as an opportunity to transcend myself. Somehow, you find the strength to get through it and move on. Always at the forefront of my mind is the thought of surviving, even the most difficult situations.
Over the last two weeks, I had a “closed-door, nose-to-the-grindstone” attitude. Struck with some terrible news, I was heartbroken. I will miss my colleagues dearly, whom I’ve shared many months of bliss.
I listened to the feelings of each of my colleagues more closely than to the details of their rants. I believe accessibility is key to a genuine friendship.
I often regard my bonds as friendships of character and pleasure, because that is how they are in my life. They let me peek at their window of experiences.
Coming from different parts of the world, it was a melting pot of cultures at work.
My Parisian passion grew more when my colleague shared with me her experiences, while living in France. Her eyes would twinkle whenever she talks about Paris and her adorable son.
“It is the small things that you must do that keep you going, when everything else inside and around you screams for you to stop,” she said.
Truly blessed, my relationship with them has blossomed into meaningful friendships. I purposely wrote “meaningful friendships” because I have maintained unique platonic friendships with my colleagues—each giving me a broader understanding of living life to the fullest.
I thank my closest friends, who constantly tell me never to falter and to count my blessings, especially in the most disadvantaged time in my life.
When you count your blessings, you always see your jar of life full.
The sun is shining! Let new inspirations, new desires, and new energies flow—make a promise to yourself that you’re going to get through any situation, as best as you can.
Endings, thank you for giving us a chance to begin what is, what will be and what could be. Please do your part in keeping hope afloat.
To Kimberley: Thank you for showing me how friendship can blossom despite the distance.
To my “Where are you now???” crew: BBQ and Potlucks will never stop. Let’s plan the next one.
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Elgin Zulueta is the Business Development Director for the International Academy of Film and Television / Bigfoot Entertainment. She finds simple pleasures in the daily grind and turns them into interesting topics for her column. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on twitter @elginz.
