Permanent lost
2 days ago, I was sharing about how fortunate everyone is. We should always make the best out of our life if things are within our control unless one day, God has decided to call us home without prior "notice". I’ve been working on a project for the past 1 year and it has not been a bed of roses with many challenges, obstacles, chaos, resignations, stress and illnesses and what could be worse than a sudden bereavement of an invaluable manager - a leader whom we all looked up to. Yesterday was the worst day in the history of our professional life. She collapsed in the office and passed away so suddenly that no one till this moment as I write could accept the reality. When I first joined the organization as a contrator, we had our first team dinner together at Chillis BSC and I remembered her chatting endlessly with us in the interest of wanting to know the new joiners better. Subsequently, she moved on to different roles and finally landed in our project again to be our new boss. She was a gutsy woman and lead in steering directions within the project and corporation. She rewarded praises and appreciation when recognition was due. A leader, an employee, a wife, a mother, a daughter whom anyone could have ever wanted. The morale is still low but it’s nothing compared with the grief of her immediate family and friends. However, it has impact us all in some way or the other and through this incident, she had taught us all an important and priceless lesson once again - pursue a work life balance, to value life and spend quality time with loved ones. Personally, although I was not present at the scene but it had shaken me. I was due to meet her next week in KL for advise and discussions. I’m seriously reconsidering my working lifestyle and heavy travels. I’ve been through it all but what further benefits can it bring? Possibly more money and promotion but I would rather not trade those for my health if the journey is gonna take a while….. If there is only something we could all do. Readers, treat this as a wake-up call and be responsible with your own life as it’s not governed by your company nor obligated to the company. Don’t just say it but do it! Learn to say NO if things are hitting beyond your limit…Our deepest sympathy and condolences to her family and may God let her rest in peace.
I just learned of this from Sheila today, and now reading this to better understand the detail. So, are you still coming back to KL after this incident?
Comment by laymank — March 28, 2006 @ 3:30 pm
Guess you bumped into me at MV
Well, no matter what happens to a devoted employee, the business still runs as usual. Now I witness this myself.
Comment by mel — March 30, 2006 @ 2:45 pm
Procrastinating on living the slow life? Well don’t, just go ahead and do it now. It is good for your well being.
It is a shame that Asians are still mired in the never ending rat race. Perhaps that’s just one of the characteristics of the workforce in a developing country. Well, if you and your other half are working in the UK, my congrats to you; as the awareness is already in place and promoted by the government.
Comment by Anonymous — April 18, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
Thanks for the support. I agree with you that that’s the characteristic of a developing country but the well being and productivity of the workforce is essential for a country to progress. We wouldn’t want a country to achieve the status when the divorce, illness rates are high. After all, we are the same, we are still humans. Wonder if those countries will start to realise before it’s too late.
Comment by mel — April 19, 2006 @ 3:31 pm