4 minute read
Case Study: Backing Each Other
Meet Alberto and Maebelle (Bing). This husband and wife team committed to a life that allows more time for the important things, while navigating the hurdles along away, together.
Who are you and what kind of work do you do?
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Alberto: I am Alberto Bastasa, a graphic designer and have been working for Standout Marketing for more than 2 years now. I design magazine layouts and other tasks as needed by the clients, logos, business cards, flyers and etc. Pretty much anything ad hoc.
Bing: I am Maebelle Bastasa, you can call me Bing. I am Alberto’s wife. I’m a virtual assistant. I do social media management and content creation. I have been working at Standout Marketing for over a year now.
If I was to say the word Resistance to you, what would you think?
Bing: Resistance for me is a challenge or a hurdle that poses a possibility of compromising your goals. It could be in work, in relationships or whatever you have planned and worked for.
Alberto: I have read somewhere, “Excuses, rationalisations, fears, laziness, depression, anxiety, procrastination, and the tendency to self-medicate, are all manifestations of Resistance.” That sums it up with how I look at it and more.
Have you experienced a time when you have felt Resistance in your life?
Alberto: Yes. I have always wanted to spend more time with my kids and family as much as possible. Way back when I was working at an office, I spent almost 12-13 hours a day, 6 days a week working. You know what I mean, kids are asleep when you leave and are sure asleep when you get home. I can still remember, my son, sitting quietly on a chair next to my bed where I was sleeping. I asked him what he was doing, he said he is waiting for me to wake up and play with him. That was the last straw. I said to myself that it has to stop. After talking to Bing about my decision, to quit the job that I held on for 8 years, and look for jobs where I can work from home. Resistance then came out in the form of fear and anxiety.
Bing: Yes I remembered how we used to talk about it and asked him if it was his final decision. I felt scared and happy at the same time. But to be honest I was more scared than happy. I just thought that, whatever the outcome will be, I will always be there to back him up.
Did you overcome it? How?
Bing: We were able to overcome it by having each other for support and most of all with faith and trust in God that He will provide for us for as long as we do our part.
Alberto: Yes we have been praying to God for help and He did not fail. After I quit my job, Joe who is a senior designer at Standout Marketing, and a very good friend of ours, contacted me asking if I was available. And just like that, I was able to finally break free from the office environment and work from home where I can have all the time possible to be with the kids.
Bing: We owe it all to God for providing us. And as if it were not enough, just a year after that, He gave us another blessing. I was given the privilege of working with Alberto.
Alberto: So, it is no longer just me who is keeping a roof above our heads. We now work together, partners and teammates. It couldn’t get any better than that!
The push and pull of life can affect you at any time, do you have one piece of advice for someone struggling with resistance?
Alberto: If there is something that you really want, go for it. Just brace yourself and man up knowing that you might not get it immediately. In my mind when I quit my job, I know I was in for a ride. I was ready for battle. But I was just blessed enough that it didn’t last that long. Above all, be humble. Ask God for help and thank Him upfront even if your prayers were not yet granted. That is what we did.
Bing: Have strong faith in God and be that person whom your husband can lean on.
