missing entry

Everest
(I wrote this last May 20 but forgot to transfer it to the blog. I just found it recently in my files)

It’s all over the news. A Filipino has reached the top of the world. Leo Oracion has conquered Mt. Everest a few days ago, giving his countrymen reasons to be proud.

The human spirit has once again proven its strength. It’s amazing how the power of the soul can move the earth, conquer mountains and yes, reach the top of the world.

Personally, I don’t fully understand the thrill of exhausting oneself and putting one’s life at risk to climb a mountain. I’ve tried mountain trekking in Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Makiling and in the Slovak Alps but nothing more than that. I will probably not dare try it. I would not have the strength and the courage to do so.

But Oracion’s climb to Mt. Everest, as I see it, is not just about being on the world’s highest point. It’s about wanting something and conquering it. Yes, it’s all about conquering something, facing one’s fears, overcoming the challenges, braving the tide and simply doing it.

Life, after all, is short. It is too short to allow oneself to be stopped by fears, emotions, beliefs and what others dictate. It is too short not to work on that dream. Each day is another extra lease on life.

We all have our Everests. We all have things we would want to conquer, fears we want to overcome, dreams we want to achieve, loved ones we want to see and be with, hang-ups we want to deal with and everything else hidden in the deepest recesses of our soul.

I have my own Everest. Right now, I’m nowhere near reaching the top but the journey has been an amazing ride so far. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it there someday. With family, friends, loved ones, my beloved and my faith, however, I know I will conquer it one day.

My prayer is for the journey to continue to be a good one. Perhaps, someday when the time comes and the universe allows it, I will also reach the top of the world.