We asked Get Ahead readers to send their layoff tales and we are getting mails from employees belonging to different sectors of the Indian economy.
In the 19th part of this series, Rema Narayanan narrates how her spiritualism helped her cope with her job loss (in her 40s).
Name: Rema Narayanan
Age: 47
Company/Sector: Banking and media
Work experience: 14 years with an offshore foreign bank and 10 years with an MNC
Background:
My last job before I was given the 'golden handshake' was with a well-reputed international news agency, which was about three years ago. I am also with the Brahmakumaris and have always believed in the motto that 'anything which happens is for your benefit' and therefore, there is no need to raise questions of why, how, etc. I had been working in the admin line for nearly 24 years and had vast experience in my job, besides having a good performance record.
How I lost my job
Just a week before I was informed about the layoff, I had been to my meditation headquarters in Mt Abu to clear my outstanding leave. On my return, I was asked to meet my department head. My boss was also present at that time. I was informed that due to business restructuring, my post had become void and my services were not required.
No malice towards anybody
I did not experience any kind of sorrow or questions as to why this had happened. All along I had been preparing myself that in the likelihood of such an eventuality, what would be the next course of action that I would take. I thanked them for the support and knowledge I had gained.
My colleagues in the office were very surprised that I was able to maintain my cheerful disposition and not harbour any bitterness towards the management. This was of course due to my full faith in God and also that this was just another passing scene in the drama of the world and that a big plan was unfolding.
I re-invented myself
For three months after I was retrenched, I registered myself on all job portals, attended career fairs and also did networking. However, I was not disappointed or discouraged by the lack of success in securing a job. Not long after, I had this touching from God to make a switch in career. A strong and sure thought that kept coming up was to go into the teaching line. That is when I knew with certainty, that this was what I had subconsciously wanted to do even before when I was working in the office and also that I had the capability to teach.
Accordingly, I obtained the necessary qualifications to become a teacher and soon after my graduation, I was able to secure a job to my satisfaction. I knew that this is the path I wanted to be on because even though I got offers for administration jobs after that, I was not even slightly tempted to go back into that line again. The bigger plan was revealed to me later, just a few months after my retrenchment.
My father became quite ill and had to be taken care of. As a teacher, I had the advantage of time flexibility and thus, I was able to take care of my father and also continue with my teaching, which would not have been possible with my old job.
I also volunteer my time as a meditation teacher and this is what I impart to my students: use your spiritual energies to face and tackle any situations that arise. Obstacles in the form of situations, circumstances or people are merely hurdles and if we are able to cross these, we will be able to reach our goal easily.
Lessons learnt
The lessons I learnt from this entire episode can be viewed from both angles: spiritual and realistic.
The practical lesson I learnt was that, in the current economic times, your job is not necessarily like an 'iron-clad rice bowl'. Two decades ago the belief was you were indispensable to the company and could stay in the same job for more than 15 years, till maybe, retirement! Thus, I changed my mindset to focus on an alternative career.
I also learnt to accept that the high salary, perks and position I was enjoying before, which were commensurate with my many years of experience, would not necessarily be available to me again as I was starting afresh with relatively no experience in my new career and it would mean starting from the bottom all over again. This required a lot of humility, patience and perseverance, which thankfully, due to my spiritual practice, was not difficult to maintain.
Spiritually, I realised that it was important to maintain a composed positive state of mind when faced with adversities so that we could utilise our power of decision to decide on the next course of action instead of indulging in wasteful thoughts of what has already happened and continue to be negative and bitter towards everything and everyone.
I learnt that even if one opportunity has gone, another opportunity will knock on the door and we should be in the right frame of mind to grab it.
Illustration: Dominic Xavier
Do you have a layoff tale to tell?
Have you lost your job? Do you know someone who has lost her/his job recently and is trying to come to terms with the situation?
If you, your friends or relatives have a layoff story to tell, to inform readers about the lessons that you have learnt, please write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in. Your name and identity will not be disclosed unless you want it to.
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