M: This is the story of Mario who just got married and whose wife is on her third month of pregnancy. Mario said he was just retrenched from their factory. He knows these things happen for a reason but it’s just that it’s Christmas and their circumstances has dampened his spirit. He is trying to be strong for his wife and their coming child but he says that he is actually feeling bad and depressed. Mario is right in saying that things happen for a reason but for bad things to happen during what is supposed to be a season of joy is sometimes very difficult to comprehend. What I would do is to “push” away these feelings of anxiety and uncertainty—Pray Until Something Happens. And while waiting for something to happen, don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends for leads for new job opportunities.
DJ: Losing one’s job during the holidays can send even a positive person into a tailspin. Just when everyone’s celebrating, you’re dealing with your personal pain. It is okay to grieve. But I suggest he puts a deadline to it and then move on. Christmas is a season of hope. While people can take his job away from him and his young family, I pray he should not allow them to take away his hope too.
M: Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year is “toxic.” Losing a job is a toxic situation. But I believe that we have it in our power to turn a toxic situation into something that we can grow from. Sometimes, we are removed from something or someone because it is not good for us. We might not understand it at that time but in hindsight, what are sometimes challenging times are the times that we are strengthened. We just need to learn to keep the faith.
DJ: While December is usually a lean month for job opportunities, I still suggest that he immediately starts searching for the next big thing. He can start by dusting off and updating his CV, practicing his answers to an interview. Stick to his routine—maintain the time he wakes up on weekdays and have a list of what to accomplish on each day. And in case he’ll have an afternoon slump, he can use the time to exercise, read or converse with someone insightful. These will keep him sharp and ready when the right opportunity comes.
M: An attitude of gratitude is not always difficult to achieve. I read somewhere that when we focus on problems, we will have more problems but if we focus on possibilities, there will be more opportunities. And sometimes, the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us. The true essence of Christmas is receiving Jesus in our hearts. We might not get what we want, we might lose something that we need or want but if we hold on and never give up hope, we will have the faith to love what this season and what the future brings.
DJ: I know this is not going to be easy and fun but it will be a valuable life lesson. The struggle can in fact strengthen his marriage. I’ve seen this with my dad and mom. What did not break them made their union even stronger. While this is also a time to cut back on expenses, he can make the most of the quality time he has with his young family. And as Christmas day and the new year are approaching, it’s best that he stays hopeful and focused on the goals ahead of him. Cliché as it sounds but this too, Mario, shall pass. Keep on keeping on, and I wish you a blessed and meaningful season.