BREEZIN’ THROUGH

“Boss” – as found in the English dictionary – is an informal word referring to a person who employs or controls or gives orders to workers. This word, when uttered by a subordinate, also connotes respect for the person being addressed to. This four-letter word – informal as it is – further manifests distance between the one giving the order and the one receiving it. Boss or “Bossing” is also used by a person who wants to flatter the ego of another in exchange for a favour. Either way we use the word and either way we look at it, the Boss will always be someone who can wield power over us.

It is very common in the workplace to see people diligently going about their tasks. Some would miss lunch or coffee break just to finish what the Boss requires. Others would go to the extent of forgetting “bladder break” because answering the call of nature would just be a nuisance and could hamper the job requested by the Boss. Some would stay until late in the evening poring over piles of paper works or getting teary-eyed in front of the computers just to be able to put the finished product on the table for the Boss to see first thing in the morning. Some would even have a take-home job to the chagrin of the family members. Others would get sick because of too much tension as they would try to beat “rush” and “very rush” jobs or else the Boss would be breathing on their necks. In doing their assigned tasks, others would closely watch the progress of their colleagues to see if they are still ahead in the race of trying to please the Boss.

Why are we doing all these inconveniences to our bodies? Is it because of the promotion? Is it because of the performance incentive awards? Is it because of recognition? Or is it because we just like to work ourselves to death for the sake of money?

What if, after all the efforts we have exerted and the back-breaking hours we spent working, the promotion or recognition that we are expecting will not materialize? What if, after being dedicated to our work, the Boss fails to see our efforts and promotes or recognizes another whom we feel (to our own judgment) is inferior to us? Will this diminish our zeal towards work? Will this make us bitter, resentful, and angry towards our colleague who has gotten the better part of the deal? Will this make us different to our surroundings and still continue to do our assigned tasks – or not at all?

Reflecting on all the questions will make us realize that our attitude towards work will reveal who the real Boss in our lives is. As Blessed Josémaria Escrivà said: “Man ought not to limit himself to material production. Work thus becomes prayer and thanksgiving, because we know we are placed on earth by God, that we are loved by Him and made heirs to His promises. In eating, in drinking, in all that you do, do everything for God’s glory.” This clearly tells us then that the One Above, is the Real Boss.

We do our best in our work to make this as an offering and to please the Real Boss. Suffice it to say that we should do ordinary things extraordinarily well and offer them to the Real Boss. He is the one who sees the real intention of our hearts – the intention which is not camouflaged by a selfish desire to be recognized by the human Boss. For after all, the Real Boss is the one giving due recognition or reward. These rewards may not come in the form of promotions or monetary incentives in the office but in some other forms that sometimes we fail or refuse to see. The Real Boss knows the right time for us to receive our rewards.

If bitterness fills your heart because your human Boss fails to recognize your efforts, then you do not know who your Real Boss is.

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