The Colors Of My Life
I grew up in a very strict family, where respect for authority was not a choice, but a fact of life. My father was a hard-working man, and my Mom, besides taking care of the home front, also worked alongside him for as long as I can remember. There was no day when work was not part of our lives. Work issues were frequently discussed over daily meals, and we all learned about the good and the bad days of my Dad’s business life. I was not annoyed or bothered by them, but rather fascinated by the love my parents had for what they did.
My father always dreamed about one of us taking over the business he had built over the years through hard work and dedication. As the provider for the family, his dream was to see his business supporting us all our life. Although he also dreamed about enjoying the fruit of his labor, nothing gave, and still gives him more pleasure than helping others succeed. His ways were not always smooth and gentle, but always genuine. He never asked anyone to do more than he did, and worked long hours to keep his business running.
When I and my siblings were old enough to follow directions, we spent many hours helping my mother with office work. Each of us played a small part in helping with the business. Some more than others, but we all did what we could. I was probably the one who spent the least time working with them because of my choice of career; however, I never forgot their principles towards work. Each step of the way, I felt that it was my duty to make sure that every peso they invested in my education was properly used regardless of how much work it took.
I might not be aware of everything my parents had to do, but the lessons I learned early in life shaped my professional life. From their experiences, I learned the importance of loyalty and honesty. I learned to give back equally or more of what I receive. I felt motivated to work hard for those who rely on me and those who employ me. I learned to deliver on my commitments without shortcuts or doing less work than I could. I learned to respect my professional and legal obligations, regardless of how small or insignificant they seem. I learned to recognize other's successes and celebrate them, regardless of how envious I feel. Most importantly, I learned to oppose actions or plans that might present themselves as dishonest.