Metro Manila returned to MECQ (Modified Enhance Community Quarantine). Since March 16, 2020, our team in NATCCO's Knowledge Resource Center remained working from home #WFH. Initially, it was really difficult, we need to learn fast, think fast, innovate fast, and implement fast in service to the cooperatives that we serve. We've given free training as a means of helping the cooperatives cope with the current situation. With the return of MECQ, it is easier to accept, especially that the threat of pandemic on the lives of people remained high.
This morning, our cat Marble entered my room and laid down on my chair. He has been seeing me glued to my chair for so many days. He looked so cute that I cannot shoo him away from my post. Though hesitant, I took my laptop and worked on my bed. I am thankful to Marble because I discovered the comfort of sitting relaxed and feeling comfortable while working. But still, I checked myself and reminded myself that the bed may lure me to sleep. I gave Marble a few hours of sleep on my chair and prepared to go to the bank.
The bank I transact with is just 500 meters away from home. Confidently, I brought my e-bike with me to submit the post-dated checks for my loan. Unfortunately, the branch I frequent to was close and that the next branch is more than a kilometer away from home. I asked myself, Which is more stressful, having to pay interest for the late posting of checks or traveling the road on my e-bike? I opted for the second action. I haven't travel far but to my amazement, I was happily riding my e-bike going to the bank because there's no traffic and the day is nice. Going out after being coop for so long felt good. Upon arriving at the bank, the guard asked me to fill up the waiver after taking my temperature. I cannot clearly read what was written but with full of humor, the guard guided me on how to fill it up. For a long time, it felt good communicating with people. I really missed interacting with people.
As I checked my LinkedIn account, I noticed one post by an airline mechanical engineer. He is thanking his employer for the experience of working for this airline. His message was full of understanding and he is still filled with positivity that after the pandemic, he'll be able to resume working as an airplane mechanical engineer. At first, I thought I would be sad for this person. I checked on the reaction buttons and noticed there's lots of care coming from people who aren't even related to him. Checking the comments on his post, there are lots of offers coming from companies needing his expertise. It's amazing! By just sharing what he felt, and having a positive attitude behind his situation opened up a lot of opportunities and positive energy for him.
Lessons learned from today's MECQ? Well, with this pandemic our other eyes were opened. We look for possibilities to cope with our losses. In every problem, there's indeed the other side of the coin. Instead of worrying about catching the virus, I think I should spend my energy by enhancing my physique. While working from home, I may now be able to find a few minutes to exercise (which I am so lazy to do). We should be looking at possibilities instead of what is worrying us. I admit I am a work in progress... I need to keep raising my positive energy. And admitting would be the start. I hope that you, too, will gain positive energy by looking at the other side of the coin.
