The Tale of a Sykeser (Part 2)

Let me tell you about someone I know like the back of my hand.

Like a tongue that involuntarily reaches for the aching tooth, his desire to unravel the mystery within this growing subculture of call center agents was unrelenting. Torn between perfecting his trade in the profession he figured his first and last and satiating his thirst for self-realization, he felt like he was caught between Scylla and Charybdis. To either stay ensconced in his comfort zones or tread on uncharted terrains might mean foregoing rare lifetime opportunities.

He decided to take his chances and jumped ships, albeit reluctantly, and found himself in Sykes.

As with anything that's novel, unfamiliarity breeds intimidation. From the time he stood in front of its edifice, its enormity swallowed him whole leaving him little faith and giving more room for self-doubt, which was easier to believe. But when you are ushered with welcoming faces, warm smiles and a full backing from people who believe in you, you can't help but put your guard down, smile back and unleash you talent. He found the culture so people-centered it's the closest to home he can ever be with.

By far, it was in Sykes where he experienced the ultimate challenge of his will to survive and the breadth of his talents. There had been times when he felt too weak in the face of seemingly insurmountable tasks and raising the white flag would have been the easiest thing to do; but that, too, would have been the most ignominious. He only had to look around to see that he's not alone and realize that greatness does not belong to the chicken-hearted.

Here, too, did he have his most humbling of experiences. Always known to achieve and not settle for anything less, his frustrations came flooding in when he found himself inept and lacking as evidenced by his performance relative to the others'. In numerous times, the temptation to find solace in a resignation letter was just too overwhelming. But then again, that, too, would have been the most inglorious act. While the environment frowns upon mediocrity, passivity and inaction, there is a tolerance for self-improvement that allows one to zero in on his weaknesses and polish them to perfection.

By the way, did I mention he just loved the opportunity of brushing elbows with celebrities in Sykes-wide celebrations--all for free? What about on how grateful he is for finding in this place the person who now makes his heart skip a beat?

And I do apologize for not mentioning early on that I was talking about me.