The Motor that Keeps Us Going

Another really long day… I accompanied a group of workers to file a case against their employers, sang some Beatles songs, even The International in tagalog, spent hours in front of the computer, conducted another heart breaking interview, and had a wonderful talk with a good friend. There was something about my day, though, that gave me peace and hope. I will save you the details but, after weeks of facing government’s lies and cynicism, workers’ lack of choices and limit situations, after weeks of processing it all and letting it make me feel really hopeless, today I was reminded of something.

I believe that the Universe sends us messages when we are kind of lost, don’t you? Today I was reminded that when everything around us seems too overwhelming, when everything feels lost and pointless, when doctrine, or theory, or ideas, or politics cannot provide us with answers. When we get to a place where it seems totally impossible to rest and to be at peace with what we are facing and witnessing. When we feel that there will never be a point in doing anything to change stuff around us because everything is fucked anyways.

It is in those moments when we need to hold on to something more important than any principle, or politics, or worldview. And that is human connection, where we take a minute to allow ourselves to show our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our fears, and our insecurities. To a person willing to see us for whom we really are. To a person willing to listen. Then it becomes easier to notice friendship, love, loyalty, and care in our lives. And it is precisely in that moment when everything else starts to feel lighter, even if it’s only for a while. It is indeed that connection what often becomes the motor that keeps me going. Magandang gabi sa inyo!