A story that makes a lot of sense

I have an inspiring story to share coming from a good friend (she’s like a big sister to me) whom I met when I arrived in France. She has been living here since 1980 and have had irregular status together with her 2 sisters when they first came to work in France. Her status has been regularised only after 10 years of working and hiding from the authority. Just imagine, 10 years of not seeing your family back home….undeniably complex.. Many times she has missed important birthdays and special occasions but she has compelling reasons for that. She has finished her degree back home. After graduation she worked with different companies but salary was not enough and she was not happy about it. Working abroad is a way out to earn a decent salary. And because they have encountered financial problems unfortunately, their business went bankrupt therefore she moved overseas together with her sisters in search of better opportunities. An option to grab with their eyes closed. It’s true that there is a big language barrier in France and the only job available is to work at home. Once she told me she’s happy earning a lot of money but money is not everything but it does provide help to our families. It’s all about losing almost what she has learned. The skills are the most important compensation and not the currency. It’s a matter of choosing where you want to be on the curve. That assessment to a great extent will have an impact to abilities to keep hold of one’s talent.

I told her there is nothing wrong with that as long as she’s happy about it and enjoying what she like. Besides, domestic is a decent job which pays well. But the thing is, she had many options available..…an opportunity to change its phase but overlooked them. I told her though it's never too late to be what you might have been. She told me a lot of stories of Filipinos working at home in France who are humble enough to accept the job as domestic helpers. They have a degree, name it ! Teachers, engineers, nurses, dentists, sales executives, computer graduates etc. Unfortunately, diplomas are not accepted in France and still need to undergo formations, trainings and get the equivalent of their diplomas and to speak French fluently.
But still their dreams does not stop there.

Despite how she bitterly admitted she was wrong to have missed her chance somehow her sisters were right about moving somewhere else. She proudly shares, her sisters did not wait for that regularisation instead they have considered other countries to look for better opportunities. At the moment, her sisters are working in a hospital as a head nurse and the other one is working in a big supermarket as a Supervisor somewhere in Canada. They’re living the life of their dreams. Good salary, better standing and most of all the importance of continuous learning for growth rolled into one. Consequently, she has a lot of friends who started working as domestics and later on left France in search of enhanced opportunities in other English speaking countries. I told her that these are the people who’s dream is to change their fate and live the life they've always wanted. An established vision that leads to setting goals, long-standing goals. And the largely enthused is the one who most value the objectives.


Everybody has dreams….and she has so I told her to go for it ! She has plans and she wishes to put them into action very soon. Life isn't like a rail train -- there are no permanent trails leading towards the future. If you fail on the other side why not run and try the other side, where the grass is probably greener !

Comments

Haze, what an inspiring and motivating post! You expressed it very well...a lot of our countrywomen abroad that work in the domestic field can still have other opportunities. And your advice to your friend was spot-on!
Anonymous said…
I wouldn't mind working as a househelp. In fact anything (legal of course) that will help pay the bills and put food on the table is respectable in my book. But if she is unhappy in her current situation then it's probably time to make a change. I wish her success!
haze said…
The reason why I blog about this Ate Lou is to encourage the feelings of self-worth! They could be domestic for years but they also need to confirm their value and rebuilding them by realizing their dreams. Thanks and I really wish her plans will put into action ;)!

Hi Joanne, likewise! But what I am trying to point out here if anyone has never tried to be bold has never tried anything new and challenging. However, some people believe in being ‘practical’ but neglect to welcome better opportunities (long-term needs) on their way. She's happy of what she is right now but she never stop dreaming and chase that dream ;).
Leah said…
Hi Haze. I agree! We sometimes get so comfortable at what we do, we fail to see the goals we really want and just stay where it is really comfy. Change is something we fear all the time. But with change comes challenges and with that comes (eventually) the success to the goals we really wanted. I wish your friend well and i hope she finds the strength to finally reach for that life changing dream.
Angelo said…
Salut Haze! You always have inspiring words for me just at the right time :) I'm in a bit of dilemma right now. Choosing b/w a job that pays well but is not "real medicine" or no money but getting the kind of experience I really want. I say screw the money for now and after reading this, I'm only more determined. So I'm heading to New York next week, the land of opportunity! Please wish me luck.

Thanks for your post. I hope that your friend is successful in her endevours. At any rate it's better to try than to regret not trying in the future right? Here's to greener pastures. Salut!
haze said…
Hi Leah, I am glad of your visit :D ! I cannot agree more with you. I should have added your inspiring message to this post. You definitely spread words of encouragement that can help bring some kind of hope where all hope is almost lost. In behalf of my friend, thank you for wishing her the best.

Coucou Doc Angelo! If this post has helped you in some way I am really happy. I guess, the power of words is truly unquestionable. Look, you have gone a long way and optimistic about your choice so no turning back. I am sure your New York experience will lead you to positive success. Good luck and continue your great adventures !

You are most welcome! Everything is planned out already for her. Yes, trying does not do any harm on the contrary is a key to everything :D!
Analyse said…
agree. never stop, always pursue your dreams, your happiness. it's true that we sometimes stay in our comfort zones, afraid of changes and challenges, but dont let the door of opportunities close on you..

when i was younger (parang angtagal na yata nun), i was torn between a high paying job (govt company) and a low-salary-but-challenging job (private).. and since i was too young, i wasn't looking for money, i was looking for challenges and nouveautés.. my parents weren't really happy when i quitted my high paying job (not because of the money but because they were uber proud that their daughter works in that company!) but was supportive of my decision.. that decision led me to where i am now (sinong may sabing hindi ako mayabang??? hehehe)..working at home even on weekends, working double time when im at work.. yan ang napapala sa mahilig sa challenges lol..

but kidding aside, i wish your friend real happiness and peace on what she does.. anyway, money doesn't define happiness, the fact that she's looking for something else proves that.
Hi, Haze!
This is an inspiring post! One needs to feel that sense of self-worth. I hope your friend can pursue with her dream. The world is always revolving so a lot of things can happen
...the world is always revolving so a lot of things can happen in her favor...
Francesca said…
i wàs thinking of chànging jobs when I get my cit.
Im fed up àlso being à màid to màdàme, despite im eàrning 3K euros. Deàr, nàbàbàto nà àko s puro snobisms ng monàco
pàrties everynight, ànd im burn out!

i wàs thinking to quit, when summer is over ànd go home to phils to relàx!

nice post. Tell your friend, go for the goàl, not only for the dreàm.for me à dreàm is only à wishful thinking, but à goàl is à tàrget.

If she is à teàcher she cànt be à teàcher in frànce if she doesnt know the lànguàge, the sàme às michel would teàch filipino lànguàge without knowing it.

One must àdàpt àlso to one's circumstànces.
Ken said…
This is a wonderful story. Francesca reffered to me this blogpost and would like to encourage you to join the 2009 PINOY EXPATS?OFW BLOG AWARDS. In fact you can even make this post as an entry since it is a very inspiring post!

More details here, www.pinoyexpatsblogawards.com

Kenj
Wil said…
She should definitely follow her dreams, esp. if it makes her happy. =)