As I reflected on this, two things came to mind. One is the practice of forcing widows to wear white, as if they were expected to find peace by letting go of all color and by extension, their desires for life. What kind of "peace" is that? The second is how ghosts in old movies were often dressed in white sarees, returning to settle unresolved scores. White here wasn’t peace; it was a veil for something darker, something unresolved.

And sometimes, that’s what white can be a mask for internal conflict, hidden beneath the calm exterior. I experienced a moment like this today. I called customer care to resolve a simple issue, and after a smooth, polite conversation, I decided to be extra positive in my responses. I thanked the rep warmly, but then... the bubble burst.

The voice on the other end started trembling, mumbling, even sobbing clearly overwhelmed. I was stunned. Had a few simple pleasantries caused an emotional release? Was this person holding in so much stress from their job, that the smallest gesture broke through their mask?

It left me thinking about how much we all hold in, how toxic work environments can push us to put up a peaceful front while chaos brews inside.

Maybe today's reminder is to be more aware of what we’re holding in. Let’s not wait for the bubble to burst let’s take care of ourselves first before helping others. Let’s remember to put on our own oxygen masks.