Intentions, aspirations, and motivation are the values necessary for me to take on personal and professional tasks. With values and structure, one can reassess themselves and evolve into someone who can better align themselves with their aspirations. Ideas, goals, aspirations are all wanders of the world. To conceive, plan out, and execute action, you must always grasp onto your core values and morals and propel yourself into someone who can face successes and failures with the same character. Ultimately, how we react to events and how we manage ourselves is a testament to our character and the virtues by which we live by and values by which we walk along with. For a major portion of my adulthood, I've challenged myself to learn what I need to learn, but also learn what I want to learn. Typically, what I want to learn comes with a sense of fright because of the potential of failure, or because of the potential admittance that I may not like something as much as I anticipated. However, because of the structure and discipline I choose to live by, I've learned to appreciate the successes and embrace the failures.
For three years at Tolbert's Restaurant, I learned to work under the pressure of people wanting their table in a timely manner. Simple in concept, it's a juggling act of keeping "your cool" while making sure the customer is satisfied. I didn't know what I was gaining then, but I now appreciate the skill of stopping, breathing, and thinking before deciding.
For 10 years, I was an accounting administrator at Structures and Interiors. No job pushed me so much professionally and personally, intellectually and philosophically. I can't count the times I felt that push: learning what I needed to learn, applying it, researching what I needed to know, and, with confidence, doing what I had to do. I appreciate the structures, disciplines, and lessons I've learned along the way. I would not change any of it; who I am today is an amalgamation of decisions and actions I hold myself accountable to.
Today, I continue that pursuit with my family's company, Reyes Garage Door LLC, where I work in business development and marketing. Being part of a family business has given me a new appreciation for responsibility and accountability. The work carries different weight when helping build something that belongs to your family.
Between the lines, I keep tapping into my curiosity and pursuing hobbies. From owning a laundromat to photography, teaching budgetary philosophy, and learning Stoicism, all of it reminds me to keep going with a sense of direction and meaning.
