Christmas Morning

I was watching Mr. and Mrs. Smith in cable last night and when Mr. Smith already discovered the real identity of Mrs. Smith, he told her how it felt like when he first saw her: it was like Christmas morning. Quite an interesting way of putting things and all throughout our lives we get that feeling like when we get to see the one person standing out amidst the crowd. Or finally getting that promotion that you deserved. We pray the hardest, so that we can get what we wish for on Christmas morning. I wish that were the same for me. Unfortunately, I haven't been on Santa's list. The boxes I've opened so far have been surprisingly disappointing. But that's that. There are some boxes that do open with amazing results, like the one that I opened last Saturday: a new MacBookPro! 15 inch wide screen. 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. And the rest is a bunch of geeky stuff that should remain on Apple's website. Oh yeah, feels like Christmas morning. I wish, that all of my presents would feel the same way. But that is another story.

The Fountainhead

Only a week while I was cleaning my home office that I discovered and old that my late father possessed. It was one of Ayn Rand's books called The Fountainhead. It was obvious that my father would have read it because the protagonist in the novel was an architect named Howard Roark. That profession has escaped me when I decided to become an adman, but it didn't change my mind about reading it.

I promise that this wouldn't be a review of that material, after all, I call myself no critic. But the spirit of the book calls on all individuals to stand out from the rest. Not just to voice their opinion but to champion themselves. Uncompromisingly. The life of Howard Roark was difficult and he stood against the world because he was an individual. He never believed in the voice of the masses nor the collective. Alone, he was all that.

There was a statement by Howard Roark, "I don't work with collectives. I don't consult. I don't cooperate. I don't collaborate." Struck me like a spear through the heart. I had heard someone say that to me a long time ago and it seemed only fitting that I listened to myself saying it when I went through the book.

I think it's time for me to become what my father wanted me to be. There was a reason why he left the book. I believe, he left it for me to read. The Fountainhead is not something I'd give for people to read. A book this potent should be offered instead. And leave the decision to the one who you're giving it to.

Nameless Fear

Let me tell you the difference between bravery and cowardice. Both know of the nameless fear in their lives. Some have managed to live with it, some ignore it and there are a few brave enough to acknowledge it. It is the brave who know the nameless fear and give it shape, a mind of its own and name to call it. That is the difference. While there are those who have fought countless battles against the nameless fear - calling themselves brave and courageous, they are actually no better than the cowards that choose to run from it.

It is the ones that know who or what the nameless fear is are those who are much braver than them whether they decide to face it or run from it. I make no exception when I say that. I have many nameless fears - most of which I have run away from, because I was not equipped to deal with them during that time. God only knows how long I will have to endure to wait for that time when I will be ready to face all of nameless fears. But even before that happens, I must at least give some of these nameless fears a name, a face, a date, an event, a situation and even an identity. In doing so, I hope achieve that I will have the advantage over it.

"Why do it," you may want to ask. I'll tell you why: because once you attach an identity over the nameless fear, it won't be as intangible as a ghost. It will take shape, it will have a body to inhibit and a mind of its own. Once that happens, you can now see it with your own eyes and not be afraid of something that you cannot even see. It's futile to fight something that you cannot comprehend. Why should you be scared of something you cannot see? I'd rather be scared of something that exists in this reality. At least now, you may have more chances of hitting it back than blindly striking the air.

I have named so many nameless fears and I have fought so much, lost a lot in the process, but also gained strength that I've never had. So many scars written in my eyes, my shoulders tired and my hands battle-weary - I have no time to rest when I realized that I have named of my nameless fears only recently. Again, I pick up what's left of my courage and don the armor of my spirit. I know who I'm fighting and my sword would at least be of much greater use than hitting something incorporeal.

Hello

Let me be intimately polite so as not to scare you or make you take a step back even for an inch. 'Hello' is a very powerful word. It can immediately disarm strangers and allow them to do what you ask for. It can turn a bitter enemy into a reasonable person. It can make or break a relationship and it can soften hardened hearts.

Now, why do you think I want to do this? Read on. While some truths are harder to swallow, it becomes easier when the one talking to you has only asked for you to listen with an open mind. And that's why the word 'hello' is such a powerful word. Now that I have that out of the way and your attention, let us begin.

Hello.