The other side of the coin

I remember one testimony of a churchmate that like everyone else who are abroad, we wanted to show our "nice" status. We would smile and pose in nice backgrounds, attractions and landmarks so that our 'kababayans' would say how 'lucky' we are to be in that place. But in the real world, as she said "di nila alam nagkukudkod ako ng banyo" (they are not aware that I'm cleaning the bathroom for a living - she's an all-around BTW). Funny isn't it? but it's true. Really true. I realized I miss my housemaids in the Philippines. Today is labor day for me, I did laundry, clean the house (sweep and mop the floors, clean the toilet, wipe all tops) and ironed the clothes (including those unpacked from the luggages). After ironing the clothes, my CTS recurred. haay, kapagod! Here, you have to do it all. I have no choice but this is my life now. I have no regrets or not even ranting about it. I just want to say that there is always the other side of the coin. Pag me ginhawa, me hirap (no pain, no gain). It's not always sugar and spice, and everything nice.

I just want to share a biblical truth about doing some labor. Genesis 1:17-19 excerpts:

"Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.

By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return."

As God commanded, each of us need to sweat to eat. I still feel blessed and I'm thankful. At my age, I'm still strong to do labor which is nothing compared to others' labor.

Anyway, I was able to rest and relax now. I started to read Confessions of a Shopaholic and I'm amused. It's the cycle, work-play-relax-enjoy, then work again...the next time you see my picture or any OFW smiling, remember there's always the other side of the coin. :)