When Quitting Becomes an Option

Have you ever been to a situation wherein you had to choose if you'll continue doing something or just forget about it and simply quit? Have you ever found yourself standing on the thin line that separates "moving forward" and "going back" and whatever decision you choose would make a big difference in your life?

It was in early 2010 when my father told me that a relative of ours knows somebody who works in an agency that sends nurses to Middle East. Being unemployed for almost a year after I graduated, my eyes twinkled at the thought that I could possibly land a decent job in a foreign land through the help of that agency. I contacted my friends if they want to try their luck too and one of them uttered her interest in joining me. We immediately applied for our passport and paid the man who works in that agency a visit. The following week, we found ourselves in their little office along Ermita, Manila.

Inside the office, there were few others who also applies for other positions abroad. I was so nervous waiting for my turn to get interviewed. I had mixed emotions if I was really doing the right thing or I was just in a hurry to get a job. I was just 21 y/o that time.

The man who interviewed me was a Jordanian. He asked me, "You are already a nurse here in the Philippines, why would you want to work in the Middle East?" I remember that I answered with all honesty, "There is no job for a nurse like me here in the Philippines." Am I wrong? Maybe.

For an entry level nurse, he offered me 20,000 php of monthly income with free accommodation which includes food and housing. Things unfolded too fast and the next thing I know, we were already undergoing medical exam. The exam was shouldered by the agency but we turned over our credentials to them including our passport.

When I got home, I was so anxious. My mother told me that I could earn that money (20,000 php) here in the Philippines. Moreover, it is not so safe for me to go there.

I thought for a few days if I'll go or I'll stay. As I lay on my bed, I stared at the corners of our room and became teary-eyed a few times. I was so sure I was gonna miss those corners, the environment in our humble home and most of all, my family. I got scared at the thought that something bad might happen while I'm away and I won't be able to come home and take care of them. I was also scared for myself because the position the agency gave me was as a private duty nurse in a "palace." I am so sure even at this moment that I couldn't defend myself if monsters in the Middle East get in my way. You know what I mean. (Yeah, it took me a few days for these thoughts to sink in.)

I asked my friend if she still wanted to go and I was not surprised that we were thinking of the same thing: QUIT.

We informed the agency about our decision. We already know that they'll hold our credentials and passport unless we pay what they spent for our medical exam. It took us a few weeks before we were able to get the documents back. We felt so relieved after the last day we set foot in their office.

If you'll ask me now if I regret my decision, the answer is a big NO. I may have lost an opportunity by letting it go, but losing it opened new and better roads for me to travel. This experience taught me a lot of lessons and I learned them well.

I learned that it is ok to accept that you are not yet ready to do certain things. It is never wrong to admit you are scared and that you still need to take time to grow. To be wiser. Better.

Most of all, I learned that letting certain things go enables you to free your hand, for you to get hold of new things that are far better than the one you're about to let go. :)

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19 lovely comments Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ:

  1. I've been to Jordan in 2002 and it was okay, well, at least for a 11-year-old who was on a vacation. But I understand what you were trying to emphasize in this blog post of yours. If I were working in a foreign country while my family is back home in the Philippines, I would feel the same way.

    For instance, if I couldn't leave Jordan for any reason and my family were caught in a strong typhoon like Ondoy, then what would be the point of me earning a huge amount of money for them if something horrible happened to them or if they died during the typhoon?

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  2. They said, if in doubt, don't. I wish you will find your heart's desire and God leads you to where He wants you to work in no time. God bless!

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  3. I think if its on foreign soil, the premium should be higher. Maybe 5 to 10 times the amount you can earn here. P20,000 can be earned here and you can work yourself way up too without losing the comfort of home.

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  4. It is really hard to let go of the opportunity, anyway, God will still find you a new opp that you will appreciate and work for.

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  5. I've been to many of that situations before. Some of those opportunities I really regret not grabbing them that time but There's more important things than those ones. xx

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  6. Prayers could really help. Just believe

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  7. You are quite right in here. You have to let go (quit) of something for you to be able to hold into something new.

    If good opportunity comes into your way, be sure to grab it and never let it go :).

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  8. Hard to be away from your family. Good that you learned something in life, and no matter how difficult our choices are, it will always be the right choice that you decide. Because God will not put you in a place wherein you can't handle. God Bless

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  9. In order to move forward we must admit our mistakes and let go of grudges. Life is such a short adventure, we can't afford to waste time trying to outdo each other. We have a lot to thank for so concentrate on that emotion and enjoy life with friends but continue to make amends with enemies.

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  10. it's really okay to say no. and remember that everything has a purpose. just continue to dream big and aim high.

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  11. I was supposed to go to Singapore a couple of months ago but it didn't push through. I was angry and hurt as to why.

    Then I got a freelance work that needed me to stay away from home for 3 months. A month or so I had to leave because (1) my grandma was hospitalized because of me, (2) the company culture was killing me, (3) I got in a minor accident on the way from home to Pque and (4) I barely earn for expenses and savings.

    I packed my bags and never looked back and I don't regret it. Now, I'm in a better place and my grandma's doing okay :)

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  12. First, I want to say thank you for sharing this. I personally agree with you. Even in business, we can apply that principle. "Before you invest, investigate." I was about to start my new business in Network Marketing VT Corporation but I also experienced standing on that thin line between a yes or a no. After 1 month, I quit NMVT and I am proud to say it because something bad happened in NMVT. Payment issues came up. Good thing I quit. Good job there that you also quit :)

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  13. I am glad that you followed your instincts. You should always follow what your gut tells you because we've been blessed with that for a reason. If I were in your shoes, I would've done the same too. I wouldn't want to be caught helpless, let alone be in a foreign country, a palace.. You did the right thing. You're young. You will still get better opportunities, regardless if it's here or abroad. The timing will be perfect for you soon, you'll see. :)

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  14. NO becomes an affirmative or positive answer if you are not so sure of yourself to pursue a given task or opportunity. Good thing you have listened to your heart. Next time a similar situation arises, the first thing to do is to ask God for wisdom.

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  15. That is an opportunity.you should not quit.I am an OFW IN ksa and Qatar, believe me these countries are safer than Philippines. But you said, letting go of it ,gave you an opportunity to travel, better than working abroad,Well if that you think is better ,then be it.

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  16. If I were your parent, I would rather advice you not to go. It is difficult to work abroad. And also if I were the one who interviewed you, I would not grant you to go for your answer that there is no job for a nurse in the PH.

    It is really terrible when you're working outside your country. A lot of bad news, abuses, killings are overheard from the air lanes, read from the newspaper and browse from the internet.

    I appreciate your best decision for that moment. Always bear in mind, there is no place like home.

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  17. A salary of 20K Pesos/month abroad? That's way too little for a salary abroad. Good thing you didn't push through. Anyway, I'm sure there are other opportunities waiting for you here and elsewhere. ^_^

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  18. I have a nurse friend in Europe and New York they pay them around P600,000.00 so yes your decision is right. Jordan is a poor country in the middle east.

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  19. What you did reminds of the book "The Dip". I'd recommend for you to read that book so you'll see what I'm talking about.

    Most of the commenters here support your decision to reject the job offer. So I guess, you made a smart choice. :)

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