Friday, May 11, 2012
Point to Ponder: Of Coca Cola, Juggling, Family and Work
Some of us who have been castigated for spending more time at work at the cost of being with family like using the argument that success at work will guarantee future benefits and time with the family. How does the family expect me to provide them the finer things in life, let alone the basic needs, if I am not able to advance myself at the work place? How will I afford the best colleges for the kids, one or two holidays outside the country if I am but an average worker? Those making the noise should therefore cool their heels and wait till that time when we will be able to afford the time with them as they want. But as I have since discovered, it is not all that simple, and recently I received a timely reminder when someone posted this image on my facebook wall.
For those with sight problems it reads:
"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. They are Work, Family, Health, Friends and Spirit and you’re keeping all of these in the air.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends, and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop any of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will bever be the same. You must understand that and strive for it.
Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time. Give the required time to your family, friends and have proper rest."
I might not necessarily be able to tell how genuine this speech is (with the internet you can never really tell what is fact and myth nowadays) but this speech certainly struck a chord for me. I hope it communicates something to all my fellow workaholics out there! In the meanwhile, I will leave this lying around the office where the bosses can "accidentally" discover it!
In other news, it has been raining the proverbial cats and dogs in Nairobi. We generally don't trust the meteorological department here, that is why this picture brought a big smile on my face
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Oops, for the first time I am the first to comment on my own blog, but cannot create space between the paragraphs... very frustrating from blogger
ReplyDeleteReason why Word Press trumps Blogger everyday! E-mail watu wa Google this issue.
DeleteGreat speech - my grandmother used to say that kids would remember the hours you spent playing or talking to them but not if their shirts were ironed or they had spotlessly clean pyjamas every night.
ReplyDeleteLove your weather station! This April has been our wettest on record, but still the hose-pipe ban is enforced. Not that we need to water with hose pipes at the moment.
Thanks for helping put in perspective the kind of memories we should be hoping to create with our kids!
DeleteHa Ha. Loved the idea of the stone!
ReplyDeleteThe speech makes a lot of sense, OtienoHongo.
Send some of that rain to Chennai.
Joy always,
Susan
Thought you are approaching monsoon soon, no? thanks for taking your time to visit and read
Deletebe stubborn at work and friendly with family. Work can be replaced, family cant.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this is what I have been reminded of!
DeleteA great speech - and my compliments for making it more readily available - my eyesight is not what it used to be - As a child I always dreamed of working for the Met Service. Seriously in which other profession can you get things sooo wrong and still be able to keep your job.....I know what you're thinking now :-)
ReplyDeleteStay well.
I remember the good old days of the VoK/KBC weathermen and those things they stuck on a map of Kenya!
DeleteGreat piece.
ReplyDeleteA colleague of mine took his wife and kids on holiday for the first time last year (after working hard, saving hard and investing). I remember he was quite unsure whether it would be worth it(mostly he thought how he could better invest the money some more) but after the time spent with them on holiday, he never looked back - he had quality time with his kids and it brought him untold joy as a father.
Now, not everyone can afford to go on holiday but as Jane notes, sometimes simple acts create the most valuable memories in life.
I am inspired to think about saving for the holiday of a lifetime with family. It does not have to be always about buying plots :)
DeleteWork-life balance. I am glad my boss puts emphasis on this. Nothing as valuable as spending time with family. And you have healthy relations at work when all is well at home.
ReplyDeleteThank God you have such an understanding boss! It has been long since I saw you here. Welcome back and thanks!
DeleteThat weather stone can put Nguata Francis to shame. The Met department, if they ever saw it, will wonder why did we not ever think of it!
ReplyDeleteLaughed my ribs sore when I first saw that weather stone! Good lesson for the met department!
DeleteYes, that stone! Just hanged one outside the house. Take that you inaccurate weather peoples! Aside, it's true. our prioritization can be quite warped sometimes and without taking a step back to determine what matters, we get caught in some unnecessary whirlwind. Good reminder read!
ReplyDeleteShe's back on my blog! Does that mean all is forgiven? Joking. Tell me about unnecessary whirlwinds!
DeleteThank you for sharing. So true & simply put! The stone part is heartwarming. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for sharing further by re-tweeting! It has been a while, I need to check out your blog!
DeleteLoooool that stone... As for the speech I have never seen life being so summarised
ReplyDeleteappropriately summarised I mean
DeleteNice read. Love the stone!
ReplyDeleteI trust you're keeping well, kind Sir? It's been a while since we last heard from you.
ReplyDeleteSometimes one has to take a break, no? Also I figured the heart grows fonder during absence....Anyway, been quite busy but will post something soon!
DeleteHow do I tell whether it's gonna be chilly *dead* Now this is the middle ground between stone age and new age
ReplyDelete