Ever since I first watched the movie “Heat,” I have reminded myself of the famous line of Robert de Niro when he said to Al Pacino:
“A guy told me one time, ‘Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.’”
De Niro’s character was referring to having emotional ties or relationships that would impair one’s judgment as a professional criminal, such as a girlfriend or family. In my personal experience, I apply the rule to material things, jobs and certain associations.
Perhaps the reason those lines speak to me comes out of our experience during martial law in the Philippines. With no exaggeration whatsoever, our family went from a stable middle class family to a family in hiding in two days.
Within a year, I watched my parents sell personal belongings, a piece of property, cars, dogs and fighting cocks. I also learned quickly that my father’s professional associates were in no position to help.
As a result, the Beltrans turned to what little we had, namely roosters and dogs, got into breeding them and somehow made ends meet by selling them.
My father’s example and experience during martial law also instilled in me the ability to “fire myself” from any job based on principles. No job or paycheck is worth your dignity or personal happiness.
The experiences during martial law burned in my memory for decades, which may be the reason I revisited the passion for breeding dogs and fighting cocks as well as restoring collectible cars. Everything we lost, I somehow wanted to get back.
Yes, I tried doing them later in life and recently I have retired from these hobbies. Many people don’t know or have not heard or read about how I got rid of all the cars except for two daily drivers, my 2012 Mitsubishi Montero and my 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser.
The reason has to do with the word “idol.” There I was, doing my morning reflections and out of nowhere the message hit like ice cold wind on my back: “Your cars have become an idol.” I sat up, knowing I could no longer avoid the issue.
The truth is many of us already see the subtle signs when how we behave, think or do things are not good for us, our family or our relationship with the Lord. It may be the wrong friends, line of work or not doing what’s necessary. We know something is off.
Understandably, we cast doubt on those thoughts or dismiss them, especially when we are so invested in something or someone. Even when those ties bind or cause grief or financial loss, pride or disobedience always gets the better of us.
After so many signs, the message was “in my face” and hard to dismiss. I followed the leading, solutions and directions beginning with downsizing, relocation outside Metro Manila which discouraged my two-man team to stay on.
Then I called friends who’ve long wanted a junk, a rust bucket as well as a few hard to find pieces. Surprisingly, the process was quick and remains painless to this day. To make sure I had full closure, I even sold all my car related books and magazines.
I sold most of the cars at a loss, but what I got back helped pay for my daughter’s college tuition and almost overnight I was rid of the stress! Just so you know, I had no regrets whatsoever!
That unexpected decision was subsequently followed by my decision to stop breeding or selling fighting cocks. This time it was because a fellow believer gently and politely confronted me with the fact that the roosters were a stumbling block or instruments for gambling.
The truth of the matter was, I took on the hobby because all my 88 pigs were wiped out by the African swine fever where they all died or had to be disposed of in one week, between Christmas and New Year!
Fortunately, the game fowl was not in big numbers and relatively easier to dispose of. Like the cars, there were several collectible bloodlines, but the point raised by my fellow believer was as Christians, “we need to walk the talk and not put up excuses.”
As far as ugly job situations go, Robert de Niro certainly makes sense. In the movie, the heat that De Niro was referring to was the cops. In the workplace, the heat comes in other ugly forms.
There is the nasty business owners, the incompetent manager or team leader who keeps taking the credit, or the sower of conflict, or the energy vampires who keep asking for information and solutions but never apply them.
Just as bad are workplaces and employers who are morally, technically or professionally compromised or that require you to compromise your own beliefs and principles.
Remember the saying “birds of a feather flock together?” If you persist in staying in such toxic situations, you will eventually become the victim and ultimately become one of “them.”
Whatever you compromise in terms of values, beliefs or character will place a mark on you or become part of your foundation as a professional.
Look at all the politicians who got so attached to wealth and can’t walk away; they are now called “professional criminals.”
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