E don happen

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Job 3:25, The Bible

I knew it has brewing for a while, but I never thought it would actually come. This whole time I thought I would be able to make an escape from it before it happened, but boy was I wrong and completely blindsided.

Like I said, e don happen¹ 😔.

Earlier this month, I was laid off from my job. I went through various stages through this period — sadness, fear, uncertainty. But one feeling I haven't felt — regret. I wouldn't change a thing if I could.

I enjoyed the job I had. I worked as a software engineer and I love to code. I liked the coworkers I worked with. I had a good time. And before you say "AI took my job", it wasn't that. I would say it was a subjective decision from the company; it's not always your fault.

I'm not the type of person whose life revolves around his job. I believe life is way bigger than that and to think of life in that way is to belittle yourself. I still get to code on my own and as long as that can't be taken from me, I'm happy.

This whole period of unemployment has taught me one thing: family and friends would forever be more important that a paycheck. And that's what a job is at the end, a paycheck. It's not fulfillment. It's not a form of "family". It's a paycheck. And that's okay.

For me, I will be okay. With all the emotions I went through, one that came right from the same day it happened, was relief. I leave everything in God's hands. I know there's a greater future ahead of me. Right now, I'm using the time off to connect with family and friends and just rest. After all, that is what Jesus came to do, give me rest.

For all who are going through the same thing in this recession, I want to encourage you. The storm would soon end and the sun will shine again. Don't lose hope, no matter what you are experiencing right now. The promised land comes after the wilderness.

One thing that I can remember from my late father is, "For a seed to grow, it must first die". And this is my period of "death" — death to my pride in my occupation, and life to a new world of opportunities.

Keep your head above the water; tomorrow is a new day.