The Silent Heroes of the Pandemic

Do you believe in Superman? Does he exist? Does he have supernatural powers? Today's Superman is the one who doesn't wear a cape. They don't fight a big enemy. And they don't possess physical and mental strength at all times.

Today's healthcare workers, our modern-day Supermen, are not invincible. They can be brought down by an invisible enemy, their stamina and endurance can wane, their healing may not be swift, and worst of all, they can succumb to the disease they fight against.

During my time at The Medical City Iloilo, I witnessed the many faces of our modern-day Supermen. These healthcare workers, from nurses to doctors and other personnel, have dedicated their lives to a mission of healing, survival, and recovery.

Today's pandemic has revealed our healthcare workers' real value and worth. They are the silent Heroes who have saved thousands and even millions of lives from Covid-19. They have made a big sacrifice to extend the lives of the sick and the dying. 

However, the stories we hear about our silent Heroes are not always uplifting. In some countries, we see them on the brink of giving up, not due to their own exhaustion or mental health struggles, but because of a lack of support from the Government.

In the Philippines, we see the effect of the Government's negligence regarding our healthcare workers' welfare, especially the nurses who are already losing hope and morale. They are the modern-day Superman, yet they cannot even protect themselves the way they protect and care for their patients. They extend people's lives, yet they die inside from frustrations and disappointments. They are Superman, yet sometimes they couldn't rise up but fall.

As a nurse, I will always advocate for the proper treatment and support for my fellow nurses and healthcare professionals. We don't seek recognition, but we need the government to ensure our welfare and provide the necessary resources to fight these challenging times of health crisis.

We are Superman, but we are also human. We get tired and burned out. We can be hopeless and depressed. And we are not limitless, but we can also suffer from powerlessness. 

When this pandemic ends, our best salute goes to the silent Heroes who continue to serve the health and well-being of the people. Give your best gratitude and appreciation to them. That's the greatest gift that can open their hearts. Because it's when we have an open and big heart that we give and love more.

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

Life's Toughest Fight

When asked about your life's toughest fight, what would it be?

Is it about your fiercest opponent? Is it your unexpected defeat? Or your victorious winning?

When we're punched hard by struggles, it's easy to be defeated. It gets harder to rise up and give our best counterpunch. Life's even harder to get up when we're knocked out. We lose and do not even shout out. That's the reality of life; we learn not just from our most remarkable wins but also from our worst defeats.

However, at times, our toughest fight comes inherent—from within. This internal conflict, these lower emotions that fight us inwardly, they are not to be dismissed. They are real, they are valid, and they are often the most challenging to defeat.

Our tendencies for resentment, grudge, and rage are our worst enemies and often the hardest to fight. It could be our most challenging battle. We win some, or we lose some.

But what if our worst enemy is just ourselves? We can't escape our worst tendencies, conflicting personalities, and lower emotions. After all, it may be just us. How could we escape? How could we cope? How could we win the battle, our internal fight and greatest struggle? One strategy is to practice self-awareness and self-compassion, acknowledging our flaws and working towards self-improvement.

Even when we're struggling and not even close to winning, the toughest fight gives us the courage to keep fighting and moving. It's a testament to our resilience, our ability to endure and overcome, that we keep going.

In the end, all our emotions are valid. It's not just about recognizing the good, but also the bad and the worst. This recognition contributes to realizing our true essence of living. It's a journey of acceptance and growth, and it's okay to hope for a triumphant victory.

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

Journey from Alpha to Lambda

Would you rather be an Alpha, Beta, Delta, or Gamma?

We've all journeyed from the unexpectedly painful beginning in early 2020 to the second half of 2021. This is not the joyous path we've imagined. This is different from the future we've envisioned, but we've walked it together.

Back at the year-end of 2019 and the welcome of 2020, that was all fun. Who would have thought we'd all suffer a sad fate of uncertain life and future. 

Yes, we've come this far, and it's been almost two years of struggles and miseries. But like a roller coaster ride, we've shown resilience in the face of ups and downs. Like a dead-end road, we've found detours and U-turns. And like a crossroad, we've sometimes headed straight ahead. We may occasionally be turning right, and we could be riding in the wrong direction, but we've kept moving forward.

Yes, we may have aspired to be an Alpha or Delta personality type. But given the title associated with a deadly unseen enemy, we may just want to be a Nada. To have nothing to worry about. To have nothing to suffer. To have no fear and no painful ending, but only meaningful suffering turned into a blessing.

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

Related Post:

👉 The Journey Continues: From Lambda to Omicron

Making Golden Dreams come True

Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. Hidilyn Diaz's victory in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is a testament to this. It's a reminder that our sacrifices, perseverance, hope, and faith can lead to unexpected rewards.

When Hidilyn Diaz won a gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she greatly surprised the Filipino people. When we usually hear about the nation's not-so-good state, Hidilyn Diaz raised the bar to give us the honor of bringing the first-ever Olympic gold medal for the Philippines.

Her dedication, fighting spirit, and willpower made us all proud. Hidilyn Diaz's victory is not just hers but a victory for all Filipinos. It's a powerful reminder that we can achieve great things when we believe in ourselves and have faith. 

Hidilyn Diaz's journey to victory was not easy. She faced over a decade of waiting, setbacks, and challenges. But she never gave up. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience, inspiring us all to keep fighting for our dreams.

Hidilyn Diaz ended the longest waiting time for the Philippines to get that gold medal. It's not just ordinary gold but a symbol of our greatness. It symbolizes the most profound love for the country and reverence for the Filipino people. 

Hidilyn Diaz's success is a testament to the Filipino spirit. We may not have been fully supported from the start and may have been ridiculed for our deepest desires, but our unwavering support and belief in her could not stop us from achieving our golden dreams. 

So, during this pandemic, we may stop momentarily, but we keep the fire burning and make our dreams happen. It may not be our moment for now, but with perseverance and willpower, we can win until it's our time and until we can make that golden dream happen.

©️ 2021 Del Cusay