Grateful Dad #18.24: Missing In Action

I was missing in action lately because I've been extremely busy with work.

Sep 13, 2024

Today is Friday the 13th. While it doesn’t hold any relevance to me, I just find it amusing to be writing this piece on a day that many consider “unlucky.” In any case, I’ve been missing in action in this blog lately. It’s been over a month since I wrote something here and that’s because I’ve been busy with work. It might sound boring but, believe me, it’s the kind of busyness that I enjoy. Probably because I really like my job right now and I love the project that I handled. It feels good to be appreciated by my colleagues, especially since this project is the company’s banner product for this year. Hence, the reason why I was missing in action in this space.

Missing In Action but I still have a lot of things to be grateful for.

Thoughts On Having A Fulfilling Career

In a way, I can say that I’ve found my purpose in the professional aspect of my life. Plus, it’s been my sort of intention (or even my mantra) to focus my energy on pursuits, projects, or tasks that put food on the table. My current work is able to fulfill both purpose and putting food on the table that’s why I feel contented and generally happy about it.

On the other hand, I also like to introspect and take stock of how my career has been. In a way, it has become a habit of sorts for me. Anyway, I realized that this type of job, including its dynamics and overall purpose, is the very career that I wanted for myself from the very beginning.

Now, for better context, I’ve already been working for close to 20 years and it’s only at this point in my life that I can say that I’ve found a profession that checks all the boxes (or almost all). My point is just it’s never too late to get something that will make you happy – be it a new hobby, job, business, etc.

No matter what your age is, there are still opportunities for you out there. All you have to do is take action and arm yourself with loads of patience. Take my case again; I’ve been unhappy and unfulfilled with my past jobs. I couldn’t remember having a good relationship with some of my previous bosses. But I just kept going and took advantage of opportunities that came my way. Even when I lost my job during the height of the lockdowns, I never lost hope that I could still bounce back. At any rate, I want to end this topic with a word of encouragement for you. You can do it to, just continue striving and learning along the way.

Life Lately

On a less serious note, just want to share some things that kept me busy outside work. You see, I also try to balance life and enjoy the little things around me.

Here they are:

Re-reading The Catcher In The Rye

I finished rereading the book The Catcher In The Rye. I first read this book when I was 13 years old, that’s why it has become influential to me and unforgettable, as a whole. I still found it impactful and moving.

Spending the long weekend in San Antonio [Nueva Ecija]

We spent a long weekend in San Antonio. In the latter part of August, there was an unexpected long weekend, which we spent at my parents’ house in Nueva Ecija.

Rafa enjoying the kiddie ride in Divi Mart, San Antonio

Prior to that weekend, Rafa has been repeatedly saying that he wanted to see Lolo & Lola in Nueva Ecija, ride Lolo’s tricycle, and buy toys.

Weekend trips to the mall

A bowl of fresh prawn dumpling from North Park SM City Fairview

Our weekend trips to the mall. Rafa and his cousins love going to the mall and every weekend, they would ask us if we could go to their favorite toy stores or play area, which we always agree to. It’s a good thing also that there were some good credit card promos lately, which allowed us to eat in our favorite restaurants at half the price.

A family project

Making progress in a big personal (family) “project”, which we are very happy about.

And that’s it for me. Feel free to share the things that you are grateful for in the comments section below.