The conversation started with a simple question:
Are you happy, Mark?
I could have chosen to answer this question with my ever-casual “yes” and dismiss the subject altogether. But this time, it led me to an unexpected stupor of intensive thought.
A Theology professor once told me that we human beings have an infinite capacity for happiness. Comforting words these are but, consequently, it also means that we will never get to where we truly want to be – our destination is ever-ambulant, always two steps ahead of us – always eluding us. When frustration sets in, we shake our heads, bow down and surrender to compromise. Dreams become encrusted with the rough material of reality. Do we allow ourselves to be repeatedly imprisoned this way? Or do we dare break through?
The Bar Examinations are a few days away. Everything is set.
We are the privileged few. Oftentimes, we hear critics say that we are too detached from the real world – from the masses.
Indeed, we are. We are those who desire to truly live rather than to just survive. It is basic that what is popular is infrequently what is right. To allow ourselves to be swept by the masses is to join those who have been divested of free choice – people who act because of the external pressures brought upon them – people who do what they do because they are left with no other option. They are constantly pushed around by painful externalities – they simply cannot act on their own volition lest they get trampled upon and might even die trying. In this situation – when you fight for pure survival, only self-interest governs.
We are too educated and too fortunate to allow ourselves to be fooled into the same trap. All our lives, we have been stormed with blessings that many others could only fantasize about. As a counterpart, we are necessarily yoked with tremendous responsibilities that we ought never to abandon. It is our paramount duty to elevate others to where we are – to champion them and obtain for them the very freedoms that we take for granted every single day.
We must never apologize for being where we are. However, we must never fail to condemn ourselves for not pulling others up during the climb.
Human beings are flawed by nature. But for the few of us who have been given the necessary facilities to better approximate perfection, that is, excellence, we must do so. Anything less is pure unmistakable injustice.
The conversation ended with a simple phrase:
People like us are never satisfied with the ordinary… and we should never be.
For the 2005 Bar-candidates and future leaders of our nation, I pray that you may never lose your idealism; that you may never allow yourselves to be obscured by the riptide of the masses under the deceptive guise of popular choice, no matter how loud. For the sake of the future of the Filipino people and for humanity, allow yourselves to shine forth for all to see your borrowed glory and take your lead. I implore you to remain steadfast and hold true to your commitment and calling as stewards of justice. Make proud those who have crafted you into incomparably superb tools for bringing legal order to an often chaotic world.
Do not allow yourselves to be just lawyers and pass the bar for its own sake – but be ever-vigilant and strive always to raise the bar to an unprecedented height and embrace your destiny… become the Atenean lawyer.
Come take your fill and reap the fruits of your arduous labor. Remember: infinite capacity. So flex your wings and sharpen your talons. Rest up. You are ready.
No “good lucks” for the prepared. Only three words remain:
ONE BIG FIGHT!
