For What Is Seen Is Temporary

"On ne voit bien qu’avec le coeur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux."

Or, in English, "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."—Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Le Petit Prince 'Little Prince' (1943)


I just want to share my reply to a letter sent to me by an aunt of mine in the Philippines, Eloi Aranzamendez, who was among the persons, in my younger days, who influenced me into liking New Wave music. I will never forget those lovely Summer days I spent at their house back in my elementary and highschool days, 1983 to 1988. Although she's an aunt of mine Eloi is two-months younger than I, so we regard each other as cousins.

Wed, 4 May 2005
Dear Eloi,
Thank you very much for writing me. Thank you very much for encouraging me, and for showing me a better way to deal with whatever is happening in my life right now.

Don't worry, I will never fail all those who have trust in me. Yeah, being a role model is pressuring; but, seriously, knowing that I can inspire people, especially friends and loved ones, makes me feel good and inspired as well. This continues to inspire me to become a better person each day.

Yeah, I know that Jo-el [Eloi's sister Edith's eldest son] is also treading the path of a contemplative person. He also loves to write. And that's good. Kasi, malaki talaga maitutulong n'yan lalo na sa mga panahong darating sa buhay ang matinding pagsubok, na mag-isa ka lang at malayo sa mga nagmamahal sa 'yo. Malaking tulong na—kahit mag-isa ka—may papel at bolpen kang hawak, tapat sa 'yo, isinusulat ang naiisip at nararamdaman mo. Tulad nga ng sabi ni Rain na best friend ko—alam ko kilala mo s'ya—na 'tong mga pinagsusulat ko nga raw ay napakahalaga dahil mas tatagal pa ito kaysa sa akin, magsisilbi ang mga ito na alaala ko at inspirasyon sa maraming tao sa panahong kahit wala na ako. "Contrary to your imagined misery, you are in perfect environment for successfully birthing writings that will be around more than you will be. These writings are investments in eternity."

Thanks very much for writing a very inspiring message to me. Okey lang kahit bihira ka magsulat. Basta alam ko na lagi kayong nakikinig sa mga sinasabi ko, kuntento na ako ru'n.

Sabihin mo nga pala kay Jo-el, I would love to be his ninong sa confirmation n'ya. It's an honor.

Okay, till then, and regards to all.

aLfie

But What Is Unseen Is Eternal

In her letter, Eloi wrote:

"Please allow me to share this great text that was written by one of the great people in history, Paul of Tarsus, who encouraged a group of people in Corinth in a time of his life he was faced with so much harassment:

'We are hardpressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed... So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you... Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Keep on fighting within and be more than a conqueror, as what was mentioned in the great Book to the Romans.'"

And among my aunt's inspiring words, the following are the ones which touched my heart the most:

"Yeah, people will remember us because of the things that we contributed during our lifetime. But it would be better if what people remember is us and not just our works—who we are as a person—this, for me, is the most lasting legacy. Kaya nga sinasabi ko rin kay Jo-el, dapat ayos siya sa loob—mula sa kanyang pagsulat e ano ba ang maibibigay n'yang pag-asa sa mga mambabasa, sino ba ang nasa likod ng mga likha n'ya, ano at sino ba siyang talaga?

"Kaya nga natutuwa ako sa iyo e dahil mas parang nakilala pa kita kung kailan mas malayo ka na, hehe. Sometimes the irony of life teaches us more.

"And thanks on Jo-el's behalf for accepting his request. I'll tell him later. ü So we will hear more from you on your blog."

Eloi