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Comforts and appreciation
I have a soldier friend who sends me messages once in a while. In one of those evenings that we were exchanging messages, he asked what I was doing. I said, "On my bed with my dog and texting you." And he answered, "Good for you. You're having a comfortable life there while here I am, always at war, hungry and lacking in sleep."
Sometimes, he would go on for days without food or sleep. Well, he complains, too, but he remains steadfast in doing his job, not showing any trace that his stomach is already rumbling with hunger. Then, added to that is the loneliness of not being able to see his wife and kids for several months. "Texting keeps us sane. When we're at rest, you'll always see all of us holding on to our cellphones, holding them up and trying to find a signal so we could text the people we care about," he said.
It was not the first time he compared his life to mine. But at that time, the reality of his words kept going back to my head. Our conversation led me to think that his discomfort has in a way, contributed to my comfort in life. He's there in the unpredictable land of Sulu or whenever his duty calls him, protecting the very comforts that we are enjoying.
My musings on life's comforts continue with the movie "Blood Diamond" that stars Leonardo DiCaprio. It is about the heart-wrenching conflict in Sierra Leonne that was brought about by diamond trade and armed conflict which children are a part of. At a young age, they are already holding rifles and killing people, even their own families. Some of them are exposed to child labor, specifically panning for diamonds. These diamonds are then marketed in developed countries, polished to perfection and sold to the elite. The comforts of having a perfectly crafted diamond lying on one's chest may have cost not just a money but lives. That is why consumers are now being asked to make sure that the diamonds they buy are conflict-free.
There are several ways we can show appreciation for the efforts done by others so we could enjoy our life.
First, by expressing thanks. Take the case of Christopher dela Torre, 19, a Filipino With Families and Friends Overseas (FWFFO). In the website OFWs Writings, he expressed his thanks for those who traveled far in other countries in order to provide a comfortable life for their families. He hails OFWs as heroes because their sacrifices abroad has brought in dollar remittances, thus giving the Philippine economy a boost. "We value your heroism not just on the dollars that you put in our country but the hardships and sadness you had to go through being away from us. We don't fully know the hardships that your bodies are getting from work and dealing with people of different races, but we know how you feel. Some may forget your efforts because of the enjoyment derived from the money you sent and the appliances and lifestyle bought from them."
Second, treat others fairly. Every one of us has a role to play, even the lowly wage earner, in providing comfort to others. Last Sunday night, I was watching this movie (the title of which, I forgot) that stars Queen Latifah who spent the last of her money on the life of the rich before she dies. At the hotel where she's staying, she breathed new life to its employees by treating them kindly. At the spa, a businessman's mistress snapped at a masseuse after the latter commented on how tense her back is. Queen Latifah politely reminded the unkind woman that the stress that she's feeling was her own fault and should not be blamed on the masseuse who was trying her best to make her comfortable. Physical exhaustion from hard work becomes bearable if our efforts are being appreciated by kindness from those who availed of our services.
Third, serve others. Marianne, 55, had been serving the Santos family for five years now. A widow with three kids and five grandchildren, she wakes up early to prepare for the family's breakfast, do the laundry and clean their rooms. She said that she's lucky to have a good employer. Sometimes, Mrs. Santos would let Marianne sleep while she prepares lunch and serve her favorite food. In the afternoons this summer, the children would take turns preparing snacks while Marianne rests after ironing the clothes. "The would let me sit back, relax and serve me snacks. That makes me so happy," Marianne said.
Basti, 29, a spa worker, said that sometimes, he would give his wife Martha a body massage after she's tired from her household chores. "I use my spa expertise in making sure that my wife relaxes after the care she's given our house, me and our children. She deserves that," he said. "It's my way of showing her that I appreciate her."
See, we don't need to make actions of global proportions and spend so much in order to pay homage to persons who made sacrifices in order to make our lives comfortable.
(Peace! The writer can be reached through 0928-5057-824 or lifestyle@thenewstoday.info)