Many years ago someone read my palm and revealed that I do not have a career line. Great, just what I wanted to hear, especially at a time when I was dreaming of climbing the corporate ladder. Yes, I can be quite ambitious even in my unassuming way. In any case, I dismissed that revelation and chose to believe 'my fate is in my own hands'. Subsequently, my palm was read numerous times by some friends or acquaintances. And the verdict is always the same: I have no career line. Though I tried very hard to ignore it, at times I have to admit the revelation does ring some truth in it. Just look at the journey of my career.
The longest I have stayed on in a job was in an insurance company. I spent 5 years there. Thereafter, I landed 2 jobs which I loved but didn't last too long unfortunately. I got axed from one during the SARS episode and the company was downsizing due to the bad economy then. However I have this nagging thought at the back of my head that that might not be the whole truth. Let's just say I didn't see eye to eye with my ex-boss then. The second company I worked for was sold to a private businessman and hence there was a huge shake-up in the whole of Southeast Asia. I wasn't spared from it. Prior to this particular job, I applied for another position in the same company. I didn't get it. And when they had another job opening again, I didn't give up, applied for it and was finally hired. After my retrenchment a kind ex-colleague called up one day that there was a vacancy in the sales department and that I should give it a shot. After some convincing, I went for it even though it wasn't my cup of coffee. And amazingly, I got the job. My first day back in the company, a colleague came up to me and teased, 'We just can't get rid of you, can we?' I was stunned. I didn't know how to respond to that comment. I gave him a weak smile. He didn't mean it in a bad way, I am sure of that. But I was plagued by that remark. I couldn't help dwelling on it afterwards: am I too persistent or, in other words, too thick-skinned? That was the last I saw of him after I left the company. Again.
Not a very remarkable CV there but certainly a colourful one, I must say.
Now here I am, recovered from last week's disappointment and wondering if I am indeed shackled to the prophecy of not possessing a career or if I will be freed from these chains and be able to determine my own destiny through my sheer persistence or thick-skinnedness.
You never give up, do you? - The Way We Were
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