Recently, I have been surrounded by people at work who suffered strokes.
2 of my colleagues suffered minor strokes whilst 1 suffered a massive stroke.
All 3 males were in their late 40s or 50s and one similar trait followed – they were all heavy smokers and were heavy set.
Whilst it is easy to blame it on the smoking and or lifestyle, as a people person, I explained to management to try and look at it from the drivers of this habit. It would be work as our work load is heavy, non stop adrenalin pumping and alot of worrying.
I for one, was facing this stressful work life and no other life. Plus with family pressures, I do not have relieve valves, other than hugging my inanimate furball Garfield to bits.
The one with the massive stroke is now unable to work and has to undergo therapy to rehab and gain mobility.
The other 2 were lucky and suffered small strokes.
I guess the top killers, not in any order of severity, would be cancer, strokes and or heart attacks.
On CNY day 1, we learnt from the newsroom that Ben Goi, the son of Forbes 50 Richest Man List Sam Goi, died from a massive stroke whilst visiting his wife’s relatives in Malaysia. The press reported that he suffered an intense headache and died at age 43.
He leaves behind a 1 year old son and a wife, plus grieving family, relatives and friends.
It seems he also suffered from high blood pressure and was heavy set too.
Whilst weight, lifestyle and work go hand in hand, I sincerely hope that employers would not burden staff so much that they have no life.
For the case of Ben Goi, he was under his father’s employment. Like in any business realm, entertainment, long work hours and flipping cash is pivotal.
I am a hard working employee. I work hard and do not have time to play hard.
It is a silly trait but sadly, genetically, I am keyed that way and I do not short change employers. It resulted in me being bullied at work for more work and not being appreciated.
I always kept silent and tolerated. This is also another shortcoming of mine as with family, I also tolerated their behaviors.
I do not like unhappy situations, always hoping things will become ok, eventually.
But as I mature and age, I realised that I got to fight back.
No one will stand up for me, except me, myself and I.
With Ben Goi’s passing, I sincerely hope that the business community will learn to moderate work and relax a little.
Money will give happiness but it cannot be the sole purpose of life’s goals.