Last night, while having a HTHT (that's heart-to-heart talk) with one of my editors circa midnight, said editor turned to me and opined, "there's this void in me, Joanne".
And the way it was said struck such a chord in me. The editor, who's single, was talking about missing out on love. And was still waiting for that special someone.
So really, why do people pursue a career so valiantly, sometimes at the expense of love?
I'm not saying there's no value in a career, I get it, there's a sense of achievement, goal-setting, ambition.
But if there's no one to share it with, is there really a point to all that ambition? What's the point of pumping your fist in the air in victory, but turning around and finding no one there to really congratulate you? Just empty faces and empty claps?
Whenever I have good news, or bad news, I find myself immediately seeking ZW's opinion, or wanting to tell him first.
Be it a promotion, or a fight, or frustration, I want his support, his words, his thoughts, his comfort. And I hope I do the same for him too.
No matter how bad a day has been, there's nothing, nothing in this world, that feels better than being engulfed in a tight embrace, being kissed on the forehead and told everything will be okay.
I feel the relentless climb up the corporate level is only worth it if there's someone to share it with.
Sure, there's family. But the funny thing is, we tend to take family for granted. We always assume that they will be there, even if we don't do anything. We move continents to further our career, spend time apart, sometimes forgetting to talk, all safe in the knowledge that family will always be there. There's often little effort involved.
But a relationship is different. Work at it or you may find yourself out of one. Neglect it too much and it may all be over.
And it's that work that intensifies the bond, and makes it all the more magical, every emotion more powerful.
Anyway, back to the editor, I actually said, we have to find said editor a partner.
And my parting shot? That a relationship makes me want to try harder at work, be more efficient, because I have a motivating force. I want to complete my work on time, get out of the office, and have a life. I want to be a lean, mean machine and cut out the chatter, remove myself from politics and day-to-day frustrations, because there's someone waiting for me and I cannot afford to be idle.
And I'd move heaven and earth to be with him.
