There’s a man at the store where I work part-time who has rather unexpectedly become one of my role models (the other being my grandfather). I was introduced to him back in October 2019 when, as part of my duties, I had to “Face Up” the dairy section of my department. The man, let’s call him C for the time being, in charge of the FU of said department spoke to me about what FU-ing the department meant and what I was supposed to do and more importantly, how I was supposed to do it. Being a newbie at the store, I thought of him as being somewhat rigid and not a little scary. Being of Colombian heritage, C’s mode of explanation involved (or rather involves) a heavy dosage of gesticulation, but ironically, the words that sprung forth from his mouth were delivered in a flat and monotonous tone. Almost droning in nature. This strange incongruence weighed heavily upon me and I couldn’t quite understand him, except that he seemed like someone I wouldn’t want to cross my path with. Which turned out to be a wrong assumption.

Because, eight months into the job (wow, has it been that long already, time flies, does it not, yada-yada), I have been transferred permanently into his department which means that we work together every week, and have become mates. C as I quickly learnt is in a process of transformation, a journey of his own into the light, and that is heavily apparent in the manner in which he deals with everyone. He is kind, cheerful, and friendly with every person he comes across in the store, be they customer or employee. I can also confirm that the man has an unending reservoir of patience which is truly remarkable in today’s day and age of empty-quickness. Every task is explained with the care and solicitude of someone who isn’t “just a store worker”, but a person who deeply cares about what they do.

Having worked at the store for so long, I can safely say that most of the staff don’t care too much about the work they do, it being just a means to an end. But C is inherently conscientious about his work. Stacking shelves with milk, butter, yoghurt or cheese is done with machine-like precision. Our rapport often means our conversations delve into a set of engaging topics; mindfulness, meditation, philosophy, presence, the fallacies of the human spirit, and truths which we as sentient beings have forgotten but nonetheless dwell subliminally within are all tackled while dismembering a cage of hummus and vegan pasta.

Coming from a middle-class family, his father passed away when he was but ten. The trauma affected him deeply and he found himself drawn to the bottle in his teen years, this self-inflicted suffering continuing for several years afterwards. He came to Australia about 10 years ago to study a diploma in project management. Being a bright student, he graduated second in his class, and things were looking good for him. His partner then gave birth and they realized that their son was born autistic. As he explained to me:

“Poof, all my hopes were shattered. I had such big expectations for my son and now none of them could be met…My son has been the toughest master the universe sent me. And I am so glad to have him in my life”

One of them had to compromise and he decided to be the one to do so. His partner works full time at a “business-company” while he works at the store. But, with a twinkle in his eye and chuckle in his smile, he tells me he wouldn’t have it any other way. He genuinely likes his work. When I asked him what he meant by his son being his “master”, he said that every moment in everyone’s life can be looked at as a lesson and opportunity to become wiser and better. His son was a beautiful lesson sent from (whomever, whatever) to teach him kindness, compassion and love. The passion that C has is infectious (…like a certain C-virus, but its converse, being benign and soul enriching), and whenever anyone works with him, they end up putting more energy, effort and dedication in their work. I have seen the effect that he has on others and it truly goes to show that if you are genuinely kind and sincere, people will gravitate towards you because they can be themselves without any pretensions in your presence.

Ultimately, we are in the journey together, and none of us can say for sure when it will end. So, do what you’re doing with compassion and JOY, utilizing the past to build up your strength, reserving the future for more moments of joy and basking in the glory of the present moment. This is all we have. This is all we’ll ever have.

Oh, and before I go, there is another fact that C and I completely agree on:

“Big expectation, big disappointment”. And if you must expect, expect nothing from anyone and only the best from yourself.

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