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While growing up, there were things that I would never do no matter how appealing and rewarding they seem to be at the time. Whether it's the type of food I eat, the people I associates with, or what I do to make money, I have always tried to stay true to my values and principles even if it seems like a lost of opportunity. This committed to my beliefs has shaped who I am today.
I have always lived by my conviction and do things that align with my personal values without being bothered about what others do, which includes my family and friends. I have always maintain my own lane, and hardly ask anyone for anything because I believe in earning my own way and taking full responsibility. However, this unwavering stance has sometimes caused me to feel isolated and misunderstood by my brothers as they didn't understand why I don't want to get involved with others.
My elder brother has a growing and successful business that almost all my family members are involved in to varying degrees, but I don't look to join because it conflicts with my personal values and ethical standards. Several times, my family has pressure me to join the business but I had consistently refused holding on to my principles.
However, I am at a crossroad now where I must reconsider whether to hold on to my commitment to my principles or compromise my values for the sake of family and financial security. For almost a year now, I have been without a stable source of income and financial strain has been weighing on me heavily more than I ever expected it could be.
I tried to find jobs opportunities and even tried starting a small business, but none of those efforts yielded any results. Jobs are hard to come by, and securing adequate capital for a business venture has been a tug of war. Now, as I faced this prolonged financial hardship, my elder brother has once again extended an invitation to me to just join the family business, and this time the temptation is stronger than ever before.
So, now, I find myself questioning whether my principles are worth the suffering I am enduring or if I should finally compromise and accept my brother offer. My wife would always says that as long the job isn't illegal and it can provide for our family I should go for it, and honestly I am starting to agree with her as each day passes without a penny in my pocket.
My elder brother operates a large sporting betting outlets across multiple locations in our city with a lot of people being employed under him, and the business is quite profitable and stable. As a person who has been so deeply involved in religion and spiritual principles, accepting to work in this business would leave me a bit guilty given my long held believe about gambling.
This is where I am finding it hard to make the decision, but every day that passes remind me that there is no other option available to me right now, and I need to provide for my family. I know I have to make a choice soon, and I don't have much time to deliberate on this matter any longer.
If you were in my shoes what would you do? I really want to have your opinion on this difficult situation before making my final decision.