Recovering My Losses

By JAHZIL GOLLOZO

I AM a musician, member of a showband.

And the Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Pandemic has not been so good to me like it has not been either to everybody else. Bars and event gigs have been suspended. Our rehearsals were canceled, my bandmates and I didn’t have the time even just to practice. Eventually, I lost my source of income.

So, I’ve struggled day-to-day trying to survive with meager money —usually borrowed from friends. I thought twice, three times where I should spend my money.

Wake-Up Call

This crisis was a wake-up call for me. I realized that while the showband was fun, it was not at all a stable source of income. So, it came to me that I need not just one but some other sources of income. And I am slowly building some right now.

I’ve put up an online music store where I sell accessories for musical instruments. I also started offering service for guitar repairs. With some bandmates, I do gigs online— earning tips from viewers when we sing songs they request for.

All these just to recover my losses. And thank God, my efforts are paying off.

Support from Family and Friend

My family and friends kindly support me, not only giving me money, but also encouraging me with kind words to keep on going and not give up. They’ve reminded me that I also have struggling friends who need my help. So, I’ve connected with these friends and we’ve helped each other the best that we can.

I’ve learned that if you have the right mindset and right people surrounding you,no matter how bumpy the road may get, you will always walk on through this Life– as long as you act on the problem and don’t lose hope.

What’s more, as I’ve succeeded on working on my problems, I’ve gained more confidence in myself. I’ve begun to believe in myself more.

Deepened Faith in God

Most important, my faith in God has deepened. And as long as I trust in Him, anything can be possible for me. God has helped me with my decision-making especially life-changing ones, setting up my priorities, and keeping my mind on the right track in solving my problems.

Amid my trials, never have I entertained negative thoughts. I’ve surrendered my concerns to God and then focused on doing my part, like thinking of how to earn money at home.

I know God is behind my survival. He has never left my side. He has kept me and my family healthy. He has allowed me to have those few gigs where I earned some income before the inevitable COVID lockdown.

I am deeply grateful that God always makes sure I feel not alone. It is my prayer, that in this lifetime, He will always be helping me achieve my dreams and desires in life.

Now that I’m still here on Earth, alive and kicking, I pray that He will continue to guide me toward the right path, as I’ve witnessed, I can see that He is obviously doing so.