Passion, interest and intention

I believe that whatever we choose to do it's because of the passion we have towards it and a profound interest we possess; especially if we're talking about our choice of vocation.

I am a teacher because I want to be one, no doubt. I have always known I'd be a cikgu, much to many surprise. I know all of us can teach but it takes a special person to be the teacher if you know what I mean. I know I am destined to be one because I can be the agent of change. And alhamdulillah, I am happy with what I am doing so far.

Of course nothing comes easy. What were taught in theory doesn't always coincide in reality. And that's the challenge. I have my downs more than my ups especially when I started service and I remember I even thought of quitting just after a few days of teaching. I wrote it here. Impulsive, I know, but I was young and immature. Looking back, who would have thought I am still here, in my 4th year of service.

To me, passion and interest are not enough. What's ultimate is our intention, our niat. Many people say being a teacher is easy, and I have had my ears immuned to such general and condescending judgment over the years. While I was easily ticked by that before, I only smile now and secretly wish that whoever says that really knows what they are saying. 

I am not going to rant on and on what a teacher really does coz I think you would know by now our job scope (after being scrutinized over and over again). Yes, jadi cikgu memang senang tapi susah juga. Senang dapat pahala and susah dapat pahala juga.This, I have held onto for as long as I remember just so I know how to menjalankan tugas.

You slack a bit and you have a generation menuntut di akhirat kelak. You come in late to class, you owe your students that time they missed. So again, it's all your niat. And sincerity. I guess this applies to whatever job you're doing, too.

So when a colleague asked me why do I seem so happy with my work, I said "Why shouldn't I be? And why aren't you?" Though she's much elder that I am, I told her that it's about time she checks her intention and why she chose to be a teacher in the first place. If you got your niat right, I am sure everything will be ok, insyaAllah.

True, interest and passion can fade but I believe we can control what we want to happen. I pray that whatever I do, the little sacrifices, the extra miles that I went will grant me Jannah points insyaAllah.

And that this passion and interest will stay with me, amin.