Life's mini-dramas

I was so out-of-sorts, I couldn't even take more than one bite from my favorite pandesal


Today is one of those days where things just surprise you--and not in a good way. The day started productive. It was busy as usual at work. Then suddenly not so good news arrived late within the day.

It's nothing earth-shaking and just the usual issue of expectations not matching what is realistically possible. This is a tired fact about work after all. I'm not going to dissect the ifs and buts of the situation, but bottom line, it's never fun to end the work day with issues.

I came home bringing with me the invincible baggage weighing heavily on my shoulders. Was I going to continue working? I decided I didn't want to mope around in front of my computer, staring listlessly at an excel sheet. I would rather start earlier than usual tomorrow than stay up late frustrated.

So I went down and bought a loaf of pesto bread and 4 gallon water. I walked around a bit at my corner block and I observed a lot of call center agents hanging out in the cluster of budget food stalls and small restaurants. As I observed the groups, big and small, I saw most of them were eating grilled or fried meat and washing them down with beer as they smoked their stress away. They seem to be enjoying the break from work, but I couldn't help but visualize what all that oil, alcohol, and smoke is doing to their bodies. It's no secret that call center lifestyle is not exactly the picture of healthy living.

At that moment, I was already littering my mind with garbage like anxiety and worries, so I didn't want to do the same to my body by giving in to comfort food like pizza and pringles (my vices).

As I walked home, I can't help but think about compassion. People should be more compassionate towards themselves. This will translate to being more compassionate towards others as well. I was mentally torturing myself since the work issues came in late during the day, but what good will the drama do to the situation anyway. The call center agents probably needed their well-deserved break from work as well, but it is not doing their mind and body good if they make their eating and smoking lifestyle a habit. I am not judging them, I just wish they can take a more disciplined route to reliving their stress. There is no going around the simple philosophy of garbage in-garbage out.


So I have to remember, it's okay to have mini-dramas, but not to make them a habit.