Faces & Stories

Everyday we come across hundreds of different faces. Be it riding the underground subway, walking down the posh main avenue of the city, or the delivery boy with your late night Chinese dinner.

Each one has a story to tell.

Some are more striking than others. Others tend to blend in with the crowd. Do you ever stop and wonder what they have going on in their lives and what events or decisions have led up to this specific point in time? Maybe what they do and how they act is a reflection of the cards that life has dealt them.

I often find myself pondering these sort of questions. Sometimes we as a society tend to judge people based on what we see, rather than trying to understand the motives behind people’s actions. Sometimes these judgments lead us to conclusions that are sometimes true, but a lot of times is merely speculation. At times its just plain old curiousity about PEOPLE and the joys and struggles they face everyday.

This all came to mind while I was sitting in the living room of a large hostel type house. The maid cleaning the living room, after the wild party the night before had left stains, dirty cups and cigarette ash everywhere, had to be well into her 70′s. Her wrinkled skin, thick prescription glasses, and soft and kind demeanor reminded me of my own grandmother back home. I felt a bit of sadness as I saw her struggle as she hustled up and down the stairs dragging along with her a mop and bucket of cleaning supplies. It kind of troubled me that a woman at her age had to work so hard to clean the mess of carefree youngins, when she should be at home relaxing with her family and enjoying the golden years of her life. But alas, life is not fair for everyone. What circumstances led her to this point having to work hard day in and day out – is it a situation that she was born into or did things happen along the way that brought her here? On the other hand, I saw a strong and determined woman set on providing for her family any way she can.

Life isn’t always fair for everyone, but we do the best we can, even as others go about their day without notice or appreciation for what they have. I guess that’s the best thing we can do – keep living our lives the best we can and appreciate every moment we have for as much as we think we have it bad, it could always be worse.

As the saying goes, “Try walking a mile in another man’s shoes” before you judge someone else.

Sundays

The weekend has officially arrived. You’ve been waiting all week for it! Friday finally kicks off after you get off work or school and the mentality shift begins.

At last you can put on your dancing shoes and enjoy life as it was meant to be! And isn’t it funny how it takes forever for Friday to arrive…..yet as quickly as you start to enjoy it you find yourself counting down the hours til Monday!?! Before you know it, it’s already Sunday. Sometimes waking up in a haze from the blur that was your Friday and Saturday and dreading the week ahead.

I discussed this with one of my students, who has his own graphic designs company. He told me that Sundays he can’t seem to get any good sleep due to the running thoughts of work and other responsibilities.

Maybe it’s just the way we are used to thinking because of the infamous “Case of the Mondays” mentality that many develop while caught up in the vicious 60 hour a week work cycle. Or maybe it’s just being worn out from the late night partying and galavanting with a care-free mentality, relishing in the weekend freedom!

Technically speaking, Sunday is still the weekend. Yet many have associated it with anxiousness and uneasiness for the coming week instead of soaking in Sunday and enjoying everything about it; after all it is the day of rest.

For me personally, Sunday has sort of become my sanctuary from all the activities, pending responsibilities, and daily stressors that could easily consume my day. Instead, I try to take good care of myself – have a good breakfast, open up the windows and let all the sun come in, go for a walk around the neighborhood. The little things that make the day more cheerful. I encourage you to let the light in on your Sunday. Relax and stretch out your legs. Smile more and go outside and see the faces of people on the street. Do they look happy or are they worrying about the days ahead?

Have some wine, maybe dinner with friends. Go watch the sunset from a nice viewpoint. Whatever it takes to make the end of your weekend actually look forward to the upcoming week. In fact, Sunday has become my favorite day of the week. For me in Buenos Aires, it means waking up to birds chirping, music from the Sunday fair heard on the streets, and waking up after sleeping in to some coffee and biscuits. Just knowing that although responsibilities lie ahead, finding your peace in the day and doing whatever it is that  puts you at ease is what the day is all about.

Enjoy your Sunday!