couldn't be happier

"so what's the real perk?", asked a curious friend not long ago after she learnt about me leaving for posting. not quite sure i just threw a smile. deep inside my heart, i myself wasn't sure what we were up to. all my husband and i knew was, it's a huge important decision that would affect us a lot, hopefully in positive ways. We too were both anxious, yet enthusiatic to discover new experience.

mention living abroad as diplomats, and one would visualize a life evolving around high-class communities in fabulous parties and events, excellent pay rise, excorbitant expenses borned by government, luxurious and chic life-style and other attractive and sought after perks. But, one thing for sure, we both know right from start, all those were never in our priority list!

depending on our luck, we might get assigned to a 'hardcore' or 'difficult' location. never underestimate what each place can offer. likewise, never be too optimistics with what each place looks like. it doesn't really matter where we get to make ourselves new homes. but, almost always, the sole biggest problem is more likely with people rather than the place itself.

being diplomats, we need not to worry much about physical protection. with diplomatic immunity, we can rest assured that our security and well-being is always been taken care of. yet, it doesn't equate ourselves with emotionally protection that would shield ourselves from being scarred by others. living in a small group can sometimes makes ourselves be so vulnerable to critics, especially when the world is not dancing to our tunes. smaller community sometimes can precisely make it easier for us to be a subject of social scrutiny and groundless gossips.

we can easily feel sullied when people make deragatory or unflattering remarks right in front us, or most often than not, behind us. while what we mean is just to share an idea for improvement, don't get surprised if people make disparaging comments that not only offend us, but worse it can also disgrace us. as such, we tend to be disappointed and even if our sorrow has waned, we tend to kept the negative impression of the source of soreness. sometimes, we can be deceived by what we see or hear. as normal human beings, we always wanted to be listened to in times of sadness. in anticipation that others would do the same to us, or in our genuine act of sympathy, we might mistakenly give trust to those seems kind to us. however, just like businesses, in desperation, others may betray us , rob us of our peacefulness and misconstrue or even twist facts on purpose, just to make themselves being perceived as better than us. there's also a tendency that we get excluded merely because we discern things in many other different ways than what others may not do.

all these pervailing situations that cause us pain in the neck are destructive should we let ourselves down with endless self-guilt and self-suffering. if viewed in a much more positive attitude however, we'll find it rather constructive. accept the fact that we are not designed to please everybody. so long our conscience is clear that we are doing the right thing, cling to that belief and let others holds theirs. there's a slim chance we could change others but greater and endless chance for us to improve ourselves. so, focus on ourselves instead. our contentment is not based on another human being or situation. focus on what makes us happier and our emotions will not vacillate. our happiness is never dependent on others expectation. under whatever unfavourable circumstances, remember our transient stay is really temporary. regardless of what people might say or do, never forget that we are largely in controlled of our own destiny. above all, there's a more powerful Authority who dictates the order of life. when He says Kumfayakun, even the impossible become possible.

"what's the real perk?". if asked again, i now know what i shall say. Diplomatic life has empowered us. we couldn't be happier with the blessing in disguised that the Al-Mighty is giving us.