I saw this post on Facebook about a man going on exile with his dogs. The caption was a short recollection of the author's encounter with the man. According to the author, the man plans to walk from Tabang, Bulacan to Baguio City. According to Google Map, that is two days walk.
Still according to the author, the man did not ask for money or food but just water. He said he just wanted to get away from toxic people whom he had bad experiences with. He also said he'd be better off with just his dogs, no one to curse or belittle him.
I cannot help thinking, are there really people that bad for others to prefer going on exile or just be with their dogs? How bad can a human being be to his fellow to be preferred replaced with animals?
Then my thoughts moved on to my neighbors. Their daughter was moving on to college. With the prestigious state university in the province and four famous universities in neighboring Baguio City, I was surprised when I learned that the daughter went to Metro Manila for her studies. I asked what course and school. BS Pharmacy in a school I never heard of. The course is not available in the state university but I was sure it is with three of the four universities in Baguio. I don't understand why the daughter has to go to an unknown school. I know the universities in Baguio are at par, in quality and prestige.
Days passed and I got the chance to chat with one of their relatives. That was when I knew that one of the daughter's reasons of leaving is to stay away from her parents' arguments. I see... yes, I know the mother can get toxic nagging and they argue. It is saddening to know that their child would prefer living away from them. I am sure the parents mean well for their child. Maybe they just don't realize that their way of expressing their love and care for her is negatively impacting the child. As the saying goes, a good intention with a bad approach leads to poor result.
Personally, yes, there were a few times when I just wanted to run away from toxic people, mostly at work. And a few times I did that, just resign. Though I never used and never will use that as official reason for resignation (because it is unprofessional), I believe in the saying that people resign not because of poor salary but because of poor management. Not always though, as I moved from one company to another for better salary most of the time.
I also know previous colleagues who did. At first, I was just suspecting why they resigned. After they were out of the door, they start talk knowing that it will already be off the record.
Often times I advised my team members with a challenge:
Everyone's only job description, including myself, whether at work or in personal life, is to make life easier for others. Are you a help or a burden?
No matter how good your intention is, are you delivering it as good as it is? Will your brother keep you or are you worth exchanging for a dog?