Unlike,
Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, or the
Sultan of Brunei, little people (like myself)
need to get their hands dirty to earn their keep. Personally, I don't think this is such a bad situation. First, it
opens your mind to the world of the working class and come to appreciate the blue collar kind of work. Secondly, it
provides you a better perspective of the value of your hard earned pay. Now you know why your parents keep on ranting
"hindi ko pinupulot lang ang perang pambayad..." to whatever waste of utility, food, or personal items (part of the grocery list that you don't pay for) that you were caught doing. Unless of course if you ARE the son or daughter of the Sultan of Brunei---in which case I'd say that you're one lucky SOB!
I was part of this work force before. I started out as a dining crew at Jollibee where I bused tables, mopped the floor, cleaned the rest rooms, and made sure that the Jollibee standee was sparkling clean. Lucky for me, I was used to house chores and garbage handling when I was in the seminary---something that would have made a newbie puke! Believe it or not but I found the Jollibee garbage fragrant! Of course, if you had the experience of being the underling you also get an idea on how NOT to become an ASS HOLE of a manager (which what I eventually became after graduating from college---NO! Not the asshole part but a manager). As they say, "you need to be a good follower before you become a good leader".
Naturally, when my daughter underwent her OJT, I asked her what she learned from the experience. However, she does takes up on her father in terms of the knack for giving ridiculous answer to a serious question. After a week of working for a travel agency, when I posted her this question. Her answer: "Mag photocopy, Daddy! At gumamit ng fax machine!" Funny that it may seem, deep inside I was praying that she has learned more what she's leading us to believe. It was during her 5 day OJT for 2GO Travel that I found confidence in her future when she texted my wife, "Mader, kakatapos lang ng duty. Pagod me. Pinaglinis ako ng banyo." I'm not being sadistic but I firmly believe that the best teacher in life is when you encounter hardships. Difficult situations defines our character. Hence, the more difficulties you come into in life, the more well rounded you become. And this scenario was proof that my daughter has the right attitude to go about her work no matter how hard it may be; otherwise, she would have texted us that she wants to quit and go home.
As Clement Stone said, "There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. That little difference is ATTITUDE. The big difference is whether it's POSITIVE or NEGATIVE."
Having a positive attitude is the very foundation of success. Couple this with persistence, patience, initiative, pursuit of excellence, and love for work can guarantee a bright future.
