ONE DAY IN A DAY'S WORK

On Love and Innocence

One day, I found myself in a taxi heading to my assignment for the day. As I passed by my children's school, unaware that it was the exact time my five-year-old daughter would be leaving, I caught a glimpse of her with her new nanny. She appeared so small and innocent among the bustling crowd, just emerging from the school's gate and waiting for a jeepney to take her home. My heart melted at the sight.

Seeing her innocence there, unaware of the uncertainties that lie ahead in her life, brought tears to my eyes. She is my little girl, a precious part of me and my wife's shared journey. Despite the challenges we face, my wife's separation from home, we endure it all for the sake of our children. They are the reason we work tirelessly, sacrificing our own preferences for their well-being.

When I returned to my workplace that day, the image of her stayed with me. With few customers to attend to, with a pen in my hand, I stealthily captured my emotions onto a piece of paper:

Barely spending half my life in this institution

Trying to be surreptitiously flawless at work

Mine's never been an open book but a mystery

Being here a long time ago but seems quite new

While on a tour of duty for my daily bread

A familiar face was set before my very eyes

Caught me jolted with heart filled with glee

Burning with a passion so warm and tender

It's the sweetest countenance I ever did see

My little angel's face so very brightly beaming

An exquisite and pure moment of joy and love

Oh God, how an angel could turn her back!

Only yesterday she's like an unassuming bud

An innocent earthling crawling around her crib

That blossoms into a charming little girl I adore

And never will I go weary because I love her so

my baby girl with her nanny in school

LIFE'S A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION

When I reflect on my journey from childhood to now, I realize how much I've looked forward to different stages of life, always anticipating that each new phase would bring greater happiness and fulfillment. As a child, I eagerly awaited adulthood, believing it would bring freedom and ease. After navigating through school and adolescence, I found myself striving for self-sufficiency, thinking that achieving independence would solve everything. Yet, as life unfolded and I built a family with my wife and three wonderful children, I discovered that each milestone, while fulfilling in its own way, also brought its share of challenges and complexities.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that happiness is something I'll find in the future, after the next promotion, the next vacation, or the next big milestone. But the reality is that happiness isn't a destination I reach someday; it's a mindset I can choose every day. I've learned that true joy comes from appreciating the present moment, despite its imperfections, and from recognizing that life's obstacles and setbacks are integral parts of my growth and experience.

Over the years, I've often caught myself thinking that happiness lay just around the corner, whether it was after achieving a certain goal, waiting for a better job, or dreaming of a more comfortable future. It seemed like I was forever chasing after an elusive ideal, only to find that each new phase of life presented its own set of obstacles and responsibilities.

Recently, however, I stumbled upon a realization that I believe is worth sharing with anyone who, like me, has felt the weight of unmet expectations and endless anticipation. The truth is, I've spent too much time waiting for the perfect moment to truly start living. Whether it was waiting for my children to grow older, for financial stability to arrive, or for circumstances to align just right, I've come to understand that life isn't about waiting for things to get better, it's about embracing the journey as it unfolds, challenges and all.

So, instead of constantly looking ahead to a future that may never fully satisfy my expectations, l have to embrace each day as an opportunity to find happiness and fulfillment right where I am. Whether it's a Monday or a Friday, whether I am dealing with challenges or celebrating successes, each moment offers a chance to live fully and authentically.

As I continue on this journey, I'm reminded that happiness isn't found at the end of a road; it's woven into the fabric of my daily life. By choosing to appreciate each moment and by focusing on what I can do today to make a difference, I can shape a life filled with purpose, gratitude, and joy. Happiness, after all, is not merely a destination, it's the very path I walk every day.