Heres Kuya Rene PRotacios POV for Todays Episode BCWMH WEIGHING OPTIONS by Rene Protacio What would you do if you were offered the job that fits the missing piece of your puzzle, the eventual fulfillment of your life-long dream? For Maya, her response was simple . . . family comes first before all else. She didn’t want to miss out on some of the most important milestones in her children’s growing up - first day at school, drop-off and pick-up time, helping them with their school work; things that only a responsible and loving mother would do instead of leaving it up to their nanny. It’s not the money nor prestige of being called an international FA, neither the thrill of hopping from one country to another nor the experience of having your eyes to feast on the most exotic places on earth that would replace the sweetest memories of watching your children grow. This scene deeply touched me because I was also in her shoes many times before in my previous career. But in 2002, the Navy was creating a new pay grade of CWO5 to be in line with the Army and Marines who have this pay grade. For my field of work in the entire Navy, I was the most senior CWO4 and 99.9% guaranteed for promotion, however, that promotion would mean that I would transfer to a position that required heavier responsibility aboard an aircraft carrier . . . the carrier that would deploy to the Middle East for six to nine months. When I got home and shared the information to my family, they all resoundingly turned the offer down and unanimously told me that they would rather see me retire and permanently anchored at home. Therefore, instead of serving for 30 years as most people do, I opted to retire after 26 years. During my service in the military, my first-born arrived three months prematurely and had to stay at the neonatal intensive care before my wife could take him home. I was in the middle of the Indian Ocean supporting a rescue operation (depicted in the movie Argo) and was not allowed to go home because of the sensitivity of our operation. My son was three months old when I finally returned home . . . he cried and resisted to come to me because to him I was a total stranger. It happened again during the birth of my third child when my ship was deployed in the Persian Gulf. I did not witness their birth, their first smile, first turnover, their first crawl, first step, and many others firsts . . . memories that neither me nor time would be able to bring back. In Ricky’s case, he is already content in running LAI, but there are 700 souls at LAS who are relying on his return in order to keep their careers and to continuously support their families who would also be affected if the company continues to operate towards its demise. For him, there is nothing more important than helping these people who helped him bring fame and glory to the company . . . would he just allow the company that bears his name fall into ruins? Really tough options, but all he has to do is listen to and open up his heart, and bring LAS back to its rightful place in the industry, a monumental feat that only a Richard Lim could make it happen. “I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.” - Leonardo da Vinci
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 06:55:05 +0000