We Work to Live, Not Live to Work
Ervyn Rivera
Fathers are called the “Walls that make up a Home” in Filipino Culture. It means that the fathers are traditionally the ones to protect the family from anything the world throws at them. Here at Greatway, we have no shortage of fathers and father figures and now it’s their turn to be showcased, as we continue to celebrate Father’s Day for the rest of the month. Ervyn Rivera, our Ethics officer, is just one of our amazing dads and we are proud to share his fatherhood experience and how it is enriched with our Greatway values.
Fatherhood makes my life complete. Beyond all the stereotypes and cultural expectations that we have come to know about being a father, such as being the breadwinner or the head of the household, it is one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences a man can ever have. Only when you hear your child's first cry and first laugh, do you realize that your life bears more purpose and meaning. Fatherhood transforms you since you do not live only for yourself but are now responsible for fostering a child into a good, honest and compassionate person. You then strive to better yourself, to become their model of what it is to be a truly good person.
My favourite part of being a dad is whenever I experience those moments of happiness and satisfaction from my children. Whether it would be helping with their schoolwork, having to re-study organic Chemistry, Trigonometry and Physics, re-learning French, or being able to give advice from my personal perspective, fatherhood creates a sense of achievement that makes me proud to be their dad. Simply speaking, I want to see my family's confidence that whenever they need support, they can always count on Dad. Nothing is more heart-warming than knowing you have made a difference, no matter how small, and they make you feel their sincere admiration and thoughtful appreciation. I will never get tired of hearing, “Love ya Dad!”
I believe that we work to live, not live to work. Fatherhood carries a lot of obligations that sometimes become very difficult to manage and even harder to balance. But a father, or any parent, must not forget the reason why they work so hard.
“We must all strive to strike that delicate work-life balance; being able to fulfill expectations in our careers, and yet give due time and priority for our families. After all, they are the reason to strive to be stable and successful. Work has no value if it is not done out of love and for your loved ones.”
Future dads would surely have a sense of uncertainty and anxiety. This is normal and even good because it only means that you care enough to be concerned about doing a good job as a father and a provider. Live for those precious little moments and always remember that the best is yet to come.
For someone who has always worked full-time jobs, one of the greatest challenges is to have a complete and fulfilling life for both myself and my family. I've learned how to work smart, innovate and work through people, to get the job done efficiently and effectively. Although there have been countless instances where I have had to bring work home, especially with special projects and deadlines, I realized that this should only be the exception and not the rule. Family comes first. If this is not clear, then you will find each day more challenging than the last. Keep your eye on the ball and remember to follow-through.
Greatway's values for family has truly inspired me to strive harder and seek every opportunity to make our family closer and stronger. Everybody has highs and lows and sometimes the reality of life and everyday challenges can dampen our spirit. However, we continue to have faith, that if our family bond is strong, we can weather any challenge together. No matter the difficulty, always strive to be good, be open and always remain hopeful and humble. I am grateful that Greatway believes in those same values.
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