Bona fide TEXT
The essence of existence
On Thursday, I'll be celebrating my silver year. Whew! I can't believe I'm getting older and older as time passes by. It seemed that yesterday I was a young boy. I entered school when I was six years old and finished my Bachelor's degree at the age of 21. In my loneliness, I used to evoke the fun and the sad things that I've experienced. I collected a lot of memories from the past and I do believe a lot more to go. We are here in this world to experience the essence of life and its beauty.
When I was cleaning my shelf one morning, it was my surprise that I still keep one of the beautiful write ups of my good student Mary Pauline Moscoso. FYI, Pauline is now a freshman student in one of the prestigious universities in Manila. Anyway, I would like to share it to you my dear readers.
Every person in their lifetime either grows up to be someone they have always wanted to be or grows up disappointed and frustrated because they weren't able to be that person. We all follow one cycle. Each human being starts from being conceived, born into this world and eventually die. We are just as passing as the sand tricking in the hour glass. We have "our own time" so they say.
In life, we are surrounded by people like us who walk on the same ground, breath the same air, see the same moon and sun. Among these people, billions of them, sometimes we only need one to create the biggest difference, the greatest impact and the most extraordinary influence. He may be as well-known as Elvis Presley or maybe as unnoticed as an old woman on her porch. We can never proclaim a distinct person to be the most influential in humanity because it varies for each one of us. For a three-year old girl covered with chocolate ice cream in the park, it is her mother that she finds comfort and love. For a strong-willed and disciplined athlete, it could be his patient coach. For a Muslim brother in the desert, it could be his prophet Mohammed. When we slowly realize who we are and who we want to be, we see the person shaped experiences, by influences and by life in general. There have been so many people who came and went but who made a mark etched and forever will be etched in the pages of history. They could be spiritual leaders, politicians, musicians, royalties, celebrities, warriors, even criminals. They may be as powerful and as brave as Alexander the Great or as meek as kind-hearted as Mother Theresa. We see Oprah giving away cars and talking to the most famous persons. We see Angelina Jolie go from one third world country to another. We listen to Condoleeza Rice speak about the injustices in the world and unattained peace. We even enjoy the mere sight of Pussycat Dolls grinding on TV, and unconsciously catch ourselves singing their songs. These are the influences that affect us as a person. From the way we dress to how we perceive life and the world. We could easily say that Bill Gates is the greatest there because he's the richest or Einstein because he is one of the most brilliant scientists. But for one person it could be you. A simple, reachable you may have touched him in ways unimaginable. Who you have touched and healed in your own ways could also reflect the kind of soul that you have and kind of heart that beats on your chest.
We all could be the greatest influence for one another. We could be the legends that may not be printed in thousands of books and be made known to every children of every children of every generation, but legends who will never be forgotten by a soul or two whom we have moved greatly. It is not only a question of who was most beautiful or most rare. Who was bravest or who was kindest. It is seeing within us the influence that we could be part to other people. It is the influence of hope, happiness and love. It is simply being the best person that you can be and choosing to make a difference in this world and to the rest of humanity.
Yes, indeed Pauline is true. The basis of looking up for a person is not in matter of who he is or what he has in life. The most important is how that particular person touches our lives in one way or another and how that person creates a difference to a normal being.
The essence of a one person is how he influences one's life. And I am a teacher for four years now. I hope I just did and I'll continue doing it.
For 25 years, I did my part to be in the existence and not only for presence.
(For comments and suggestions: Email me at Franzylu@hotmail.com or text me at 09196013499)