Seeing the unseen

Dear Lloyd,

I’m a graduate of tourism and working in a travel agency for six years now. I don’t have any problem except that I think my superiors made an unfair decision in promoting the right people. I think I deserve the promotion more than any one else. I work hard and I am focused. My loyalty to the company is incomparable. I’m sick and tired of waiting. Will it be a good idea to quit?

Thanks in advance. It’s good to have this column.

Ana Marie Dionisio
Valenzuela City

Dear Ana Marie,

Until now, I still stand with the principle that “a quitter never succeeds.” At the onset, I must tell you that resignation won’t solve your problem. In fact when you resign, it could be a prelude to another problem. And unless you see the unseen and understand the bigger picture, you simply work outside the issue. It doesn’t make any sense.

Many of us are guilty of this sin. When we have questions, we try to look for answers. For me, it’s better to look for reasons rather than answers. Because when you find the reason, you automatically find the answer. Telling you “yes, it’s a good idea to quit” or otherwise is easy. And we’re frequently trapped to do the “easy” in lieu of the “must-do.” We usually choose the road less traveled.

I know it would be hard for you to accept the reality. But that’s how the system works. You must accept it before you can move. And so, you must deal with it. You can always choose to do the remarkable in any worst scenario, anyway. Remember that the only way to do great thing is to know what you are doing. So what if you don’t get promoted? Is it your loss? You may say it’s theirs. And partly, I would agree.

But life must always move on regardless of the result—tears or joy. You cannot change other people. So why spend time changing them? We have different perceptions and decisions that allow us to survive individually. That’s how we’re created. Allow me to share with you a short story.

She started reaping titles in beauty pageants since her high school days in St. Mary High in Pampanga. Her motivation of joining the competition came from the support of her inner circle (family and friends). With her personal desire, today, she has garnered three titles and one 1st runner-up.

In her recent chase of the crown, her attitude, values and philosophy reflected a winning response, perhaps the best among other equally qualified candidates. An image of a seemingly perfect nature, a waterfall in particular, gave her every reason to express herself and see the unseen. Her description of the image was simple. Nature is a premier creation, a blessing and a life. Given another chance to describe it, she could have seen moving water, like life, that continuous to flow regardless of rocks and boulders along the way.

What made her take the crown behind the winning answer? Well, I believe it’s her ability to see what is unseen to many and her determination to finish the race.

First lesson: Your case is a pageant to be won. But you must first see the unseen before you can do your homework accordingly. What you’re seeing right now is a failure. It’s depressing for sure. But you can always turn your down moment to something to your advantage. Failing to get your promotion is just a result.

If you fail, start over and over again until you make it. Charge this event to experience. Challenge yourself to become better. Never mind losing at some battles. Focus your energy on adding value to yourself. You see, life is not a competition. But there is a competition in it. When you compete, you must compete with yourself. That’s the best way to do it.

At 19, you might expect less from her. But mind you, she have already made some fashion shows and modeling. Steady on her decision to finish her studies and practice her profession after graduation, winning for her is a continuous process. The greatest symbol of being a winner is not the crown. It’s one’s self serving as an example for others to follow.

Second lesson: There are so many distractions that will test our attitude, values and personal philosophy. Never get distracted. Life is, most of the time, a matter of perception. How people see things separates the extraordinary the ordinary. There is this little “extra” that we must work on before it works for us. Persevere. You must become more so that you can do more and eventually have more.

From the start, she’s confident to best the contest. And she did a lot of preparations. After humbling the college-wide competition, she tried her luck in the university level and made it to the top. It was simple but not easy.

Third lesson: The thing is there is no shortcut. People who have reached the top have gone through the process. It’s a ladder thing. No successful person has been produced overnight. There’s always a time and space for everything, for us to think and reflect. And the fastest way to climb the ladder is to climb it with humility and faith.

Will it be a good idea to resign? Ask the woman behind the title of Ms. Centro Escolar University 2006 Christine Apple Macarubbo. She may give you more reasons why it will not be a good idea.

As for me, you can choose to resign and pursue a path that is easy without dealing the real problem or stay and live a life that is hard with a resolve to finish the puzzle. Trust me; either way is hard but only one will give you multiple rewards.


Your buddy to the top,

LLOYD A. LUNA