The Lasallian Business Leader: Family and Work Life Harmony

Remember this classic Nescafe commercial? It is probably one of the commercials that inspired you and me to wake up with a reason. Reminiscing this, I started to ask myself, "Para kanino nga ba ako bumabangon?"

I remember as a kid, every Sunday after going to church, my family and I would spend time together at the mall, restaurant or just stay at home watching movies. We never let pass a holiday without spending time with one another. When I started working, it is not easy for us to meet our schedules. From Monday to Friday I usually wake up with a rush, spend 8 hours, plus over time in our workplace. Whenever I reached our home, I am already tired and exhausted. There was a point in my life that I spent weekends and holidays in the office. I began to distance myself from my family, spending less and less time with them.

Last 2013, I experienced an anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you’re allergic to. In my case, it got severed because I abused my body which led to poor immune system. This made me realized how important it is to rest. I was on a sick leave for one week with my mom and dad who also took their leave, so that they could take care of me. This situation reminded me how important the family is. Since then, I began to pray to God for the restoration of my relationship with each member of the family.

"We have 24 hours a day, 8 hours is intended for our work, 8 hours for rest and another 8 hours for us to do the things that we are passionate about with the people we love." This is a wonderful advice I heard from the radio. God desires and commands us to always enter His rest. But sometimes, we fail to rest because we fail to trust Him that He is in control with everything we need. I want to thank God, because it also made me realized not to sacrifice family over temporary success. Learning to value family made me rely on God's grace to become a good daughter to my parents and to be a supportive sister to my siblings.

I hope and I pray that by God's grace, we will learn to have a work-life balance and will cheerfully and confidently answer the question "Para kanino ka bumabangon?"