16# Grind’n’Hustle
Remind Yourself Then, to “Take a Look at Me Now …” Once in A While
Reasons behind working, that is what counts
I was having dinner at a restaurant with a client, and this haunting tune of Phil Collins, “Against All Odds” was in the air. “Take a look at me now . . .” over and over, it lingered in the air, hovering above the soft chatter of the crowd and filled the cozy lit room.
Feeling the reflective mood around all of us, I ventured to discover the needs of my client. As we spent time discovering his health needs, my client got to learn more about himself, his family, as well as his plans for the future. He realized that he had never taken the time to reflect on what had been going on in his life all these years.
Convinced by his friend that a life insurance policy was so important and necessary, he readily committed himself to his recommendations. All that was left was a medical check-up of which he agreed to do the following day.
I'm not an insurance agent by the way. I'm a builder consultant. So, interestingly or coincidentally on my way home, the same haunting tune burst through the air from the car radio, “Take a look at me now . . .”
When was the last time we looked at ourselves?
With a mirror in front of us, let’s just do exactly that! At first glance, you may notice some lines that were non-existence, existing.
Gosh, a closer look will reveal more. After these initial little “shocks” of your physical self-discovery, try looking beyond and behind that face.
Reflect on what we’ve been doing all these years. Some memories may bring smiles, others frown and mild despair. Try looking ahead and see ourselves a day ahead, a month, a year, 10 years, and the rest of our lives.
How do we want to be remembered by our loved ones, our family members, our friends, or even society?
“To reflect, think, plan, and act can make a difference in our lives, rather than to work, work and work. Life is really more than just work”
It just seems strange for a person like me who has spent more than 16 hours a day working. It may sound like daydreaming, but if you are an immigrant, I guess you don't have any luxurious option.
Did we contribute to the betterment of our very own life, by filling it up with joy, hope courage, and blissfulness, or has it been covered by taints of dissatisfaction, sorrow, and emptiness?
Thus far, what has happened, happened. There is nothing we can do to alter them. They are things of the past. But looking ahead, we can shape our future, and shape the events to come. That is the birthright bestowed unto all of us. The right to change.
Here:
- Our first cries announcing our arrival brought changes to our parents.
- Our first date altered our feelings about the opposite sex.
- Our first job thrust us into a new phase of living.
- Our first credit card elevated our feelings about social status and spending money.
Everything we do changes something consciously or unconsciously, only that we hardly pause to take a look at ourselves.
“Take a look at me now . . .” yes, looking at ourselves can bring untold joy and hope, optimism and contributions toward all around us. To reflect, think, plan, and act can make a difference in our lives, rather than to work, work, and work.
I can’t believe I said that. That’s the opposite of me now. This is so sad and hard for me. It's just painful when you have to realize that you have to keep walking with thorns inside your toes.
Life is really more than just work. It is the reasons behind working, that is what counts.
Remind yourself then, to “Take a look at me now . . .” every once in a while.
