What Are You Thankful For?

If there is something I am truly thankful for right now, it would be having the chance to spend my weekends with my family. Let me share you the whys.

Years and year back, I once co-managed one of the biggest retail stores here in the Metro. Being the flagship store in the country, that requires your presence at work on weekends when most people come to shop in bigger groups. A weekend off is never an option unless you file for a vacation leave. That was my first job and I could say the most ideal one for a fresh graduate with a business degree. And like anyone else, I tried to enjoy it as much as I could.

Then came BPO and call center jobs.

I sheepishly admit, shifting my career that time is very encouraging. Since my current job is customer service by nature, I thought I'd have this edge already. Perhaps, landing to an office-based work seems more promising to me, regardless of the change in timezone. I spent tough years in the industry but I know I was paid well and have received the finest benefits. Though your acceptance to the job offer somehow includes your willingness to adjust your lifestyle and even missing a few social events. Those were challenging years for someone who aspires to move up to the corporate ladder. I've met a lot of good people, was harnessed with rigid training and learned to self-discipline when it comes to schedule adherence. 

If my memory serves me right, I only enjoyed 6 months straight of weekends off that is within the period of 5 years. Good thing I was still single then. As I look back, I know there is nothing to regret with those choices I made. It served me well in so many aspects and for that I am very thankful. I am thankful because it gave me the chance to appreciate what I have now.

 

Let me just clear that I have nothing against working during weekends. In fact, I have a high regard especially for parents who can effectively manage their time despite their absence during family days, which is normally on a Sunday. Maybe I'm just thankful because I don't need to find a "swap" just so I could attend a very special gathering when my shift falls on a weekend. Second, my daughter is just few years away from preparatory school and that makes we want to spend more time with her when we are both off from our weekday routines.

Third, hubby used to work on weekends these days because of urgent completion of site projects. We are truly grateful if the site is located in Manila, otherwise we need to wait for a week til he gets back. So if I'm not there too for my little one, how sad could be our home? Fourth, I usually make up for the things I can't do during working days, like giving her a bath, taking her to the playground, watching her favorite cartoons in the morning, and taking her to sleep. A few of the simple things I'd like to do.

 

Fifth, I'd like to take her to so many places where she can see and meet families who bond together too. That's part of personality development for kids her age and I want to give her that kind of exposure. I could go on and on with my reasons but the bottom line here is that I am very thankful that I don't struggle on this part, or at least not for now.

 

So, if you think you're not satisfied with the company where you belong at the moment, why not try to realize this part? It may somehow give you that big reason to be thankful instead, because what you are receiving is probably something that many are silently praying to have. Agree? :-)

Have a merry weekend!

xx, 

OneGutsyMom