Photo by Randalyn Hill on Unsplash

About two years ago, I started talking to a friend whom I've not met for many years. He left a comment on one of my favourite photos on Facebook and the obvious thing was to reply as a courtesy. We got to talking and decided to catch up over a meal at Mcdonalds and only because I've always wanted to meet him in real life. You see... we met in the world of Counterstrike and if you guys don't know what that is, it's an online first person shooter game where the police and terrorist fights against each other in a 5 versus 5.

Little did I know, from that little meetup, he asked if I would like to come for a badminton session with his friends. Loving all things sport and badminton to be exact, I quickly asked for the time and location.

The weekend approached and I met his friends. A LOT of them actually. Cut the whole story short, it was actually a 'prospecting' event for networking agents to find prospects to be their downline. Yes, it's the MLM aka Multilevel Marketing Business.

No wonder this friend suddenly popped up out of nowhere and wanted to grab Mcdonalds.

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Photo by Razvan Chisu on Unsplash

I would save the details for another time because I have plans to already share this story but not today. In short, I was pulled and some sort of 'attracted' into this business scheme, I became one of their agents as well. At 25, I thought this was a good chance to break out to be my own boss. Finally quitting my shitty job at that time which was working in an animation studio from Singapore.

Everything couldn't be more timely. I say this because, at that time, I was dreading working for this animation studio because of how they treat their employees so when one of the MLM agents approached me and said that they were looking for a 'quality and qualified' business partner to run a business, it piqued my interest. I was already planning to look for another job so I thought, why don't I stay a little longer in this company and give this business a shot.

1 and a half years passed by really quickly. Running this business taught me many lessons but one which I would like to share for tonight.

It doesn't matter if you're earning tons of money, but if you don't like what you're doing, you're going to dread every single day living the life you never wanted.

This was how I felt after 1 and a half years into the business. The business was making money, no doubt. I made RM18,000 (4,400usd) in just two months which was more considered the upper-class salary. 5 figures in Malaysia is very rare for employees especially if you're talking about animators because we have one of the lowest-paid jobs in the world. Our average animator earns about RM3000 monthly averagely.

But what struck me to reconsider my life decision into leaving this business was because I was dreading running the business every day. It was nothing about what I was passionate about, I disliked the overly crowded venues filled with agents, the manipulation techniques to find friends and then to brainwash them into the scheme, and many other things that went against my principle as a Christian as well. Everything had a motive. I wanted to talk to friends not because I wanted to know about their life or to catch up but the sole purpose was to see whether they are capable of putting in RM35,000(8,600 USD) startup modal for the business. So that cuts out lower-income people unless they're allowed to loan money from the banks. So everyone and everything that I did had intentions of making money out of you. I didn't like it one bit but I tried doing it.

I left.

When I got out of the business, I started thinking clearer, looking back at how the scheme and techniques were all well thought out to attract money minded people. Mind you, being money minded isn't wrong but when it clouds every other thing and you uphold money as King over your life, that's a problem. I began to see what these agents were all chanting every day about, telling people that money isn't everything, but everything needs money. I started to finally see the tricks they once called sincerity and genuine.

I'm glad I left.

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Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

I got my life back together, went out to find a new job and from this I learn that it is only passion that will be my long term and nothing even money can do that. It was all just temporary pleasure. I managed to find back my career that I enjoy now.

Why did I suddenly think about writing this post tonight? Well, it was because last night, I have come to another crossroad in my life. Something that would have quite an impact for my future whether it would be good or bad and it reminded me of how I felt when I started this business. Would I disregard my passion just for a load of cash and doing the things I'm least enthusiastic about, or would I follow my passion with less money but having a happy life that I want?

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. - Maya Angelou

Have a great weekend ahead!

Thank You

If you like what I do, check out my other posts on meetups, animation, and designs.

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_{Credits to @pinstory & @coloringiship for this lovely photo of me.}

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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://zord189.steemblogs.club/2020/01/17/to-do-so-with-some-passion/

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