That Silent Scream

I look forward to mealtime, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Even snacks, brunch, merienda or midnight eats. It's my way to unwind, catch up with what's-up-and-who's-out-there, and space out. But as much as I enjoy mealtime, I tend to backtrack on my thoughts whenever the food being served is not to my liking. Even the combination of tastes, texture, color and presentation could affect my overall mood. I don't say my displeasure out loud, altho sometimes I do. I even pass on the chance to eat just because I don't like what's infront of me.

That is the human error I've chosen to rectify. I will try not to be too picky with viand. As long as there is warm rice on the my plate, I will be fine. I will savor each bite and be thankful for all the people who've exerted a lot so that I can have the privilege to eat.

And I won't forget that: 21.5% of the Filipino population go hungry everyday. Approximately, that is 1 out of 5 Filipinos. As depicted by a TV docu I was able to watch last night, Filipino families in Maguindanao and Payatas get by with just one meal daily. It's usually a combination of either cooked corn and rice (with no ulam), cooked rice with soy sauce, cooked rice with salt, cooked rice with sugar or just plain cooked rice. Inspite of their meager meal, these folks show resiliency, gusto and happiness. Contentment, thankfulness and acceptance shine on their faces.

What an eye opener! The realization poured over me like a bucket of icy water. If these folks are grateful to have only one decent meal each day, I don't have any business complaining about the food I get to eat whenever I want. If these folks don't even get the chance to earn even the minimum daily wage, then I should be thankful for the pittance I get just by sitting on my butt, facing the computer, doing tons of paperwork and hearing swear words everyday. I don't have the right to beat myself up for the emptiness I feel caused by relationship problems because there are other folks out there who have bigger and unresolved concerns.

Life is unfair. The social divide that stands between the rich and the poor will always be there. The stench of poverty. The overruns of indulgence. The grip of hunger. The temptation of excessiveness.

Humanity is always two-pronged and double-edged.
It shouts at you from all corners.
Sad and real.
Distinct? Maybe.
Residual? Always.