A LETTER TO MYSELF

DEAR Friend:
The mere fact that you're reading this letter is an indication that your will to survive remains intact. The temptation to succumb to the hostile pressures of the struggles and sufferings of life has not obliterated your determination to carry on. Not yet, at least. But before the last fiver of strength snaps, allow me to at least help you rekindle your dampening spirit.
First and foremost, let's go back to some of the most fundamental realities of life. Every mortal who walked on this planet went through a similar phase to what you're encountering now. Anguish and pain exempt no one -- from the most obscure individual to the greatest achievers. Even the Man whom we consider as a descendant of our Creator and who supposedly possesses immortality experienced an excruciating painful period in His life. Imagine being scourged while walking barefoot on a scorching road to Golgotha, not to mention the hoots and hisses of critics and the betrayal of trusted friends and carrying a heavy wooden cross at the same time. I suggest you watch Mel Gibson's controversial film to get a clearer picture of what I mean.
We often wonder why others are blessed, financially and physically, while others are simply wretched. Or why some of our fellowmen, already deprived of almost everything in life, have to carry the burden of being born with abnormalities or being stricken with incurable ailments while some men who have committed unspeakable atrocities and inhuman acts enjoy great privileges. But then nobody can really fathom these enigmas of life unless you're the Supreme Being.
Indeed, life is unfair. Whoever said otherwise ought to be fed to the lions. Apartheid, anti-Semitism, and the millions forced to live in extreme poverty are just some of the manifestations of life's unfairness. And the sad thing about it is that we seem to be unable to change the status quo. I'm inclined to believe with Henry Miller that we have to realize that we can't change the world, and that the best thing we can do is to learn to live with it. Despite the intense idealism of our youth, the current situation reduces us to cynicism.
But then this is life. Despite its imperfections we have to carry on. As Max Erhwann said, with all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it's still a beautiful world and we should strive to be happy. We should never allow our pains and frustrations to dominate our lives. Obstacles and trials have the useful function of developing our strength and courage. We may not notice it initially, but sooner or later we will realize that hardships contributed to our progress.
Unfortunately for many us, the result of facing obstacles is the birth of fear. Fear to take risks and commit mistakes. Humans that we are, being prone to error in our actions and decisions is part of our nature. Let us just remember that even the most successful personalities had their own share of failures. What brought them to where they are is their will and determination to surmount the barriers they faced along the way.
Even as I write this piece, I am watching the Olympic marathon. I can't help but note how closely this competition parallels life. Here's a perfect example of "survival of the fittest." Not every competitor will finish the race. To every athlete in the race, the finish line seems to be an eternity away. Those who are able to prevail over their weaknesses earn a well deserved accolade from the spectators. In spite of the thirst, the heat of summer in Athens, the cramps in their legs, they made it to the finish line. Even if they failed to win a medal, the fact that they were able to finish the course is victory enough.
Much like life. The challenges we face every single day as we struggle for survival can force the weakling to give up. But if our never-say-die spirit overcomes our impulse to surrender, then our lives become a success. For even if we failed in our quest for glory, we have faithfully completed our task.
Danny Leonera, 20, is a Political Science major at the De La Salle University-Manila