Age And Experience Can Really Mellow
Every time I revisit the 'eLf ideas' newsletters That I used to make and distribute in the late Nineties and reread what I had written in those days, I can still smile at the ideas I was able to Churn out at that age and with having no formal Background in writing; however, I now usually Find myself blushing in shame at the way I Brusquely expressed many ideas and views?often Arrogant, couldn't-care-less, lots of Neologisms, verbose rather than eloquent, Flamboyant rather than precise. I even remember declaring in one article: "This Is my literary world, and you are just my Platypi. I can do whatever I want; I can write Whatever I think of. You can't do anything But read." That now triggers goose bumps on my nape. The arrogance of Youth. The "I am an anarchist" stage of life! But, age and experience can Really mellow people. I'm glad I was given the chance to work in a Publishing company such as Diwa Scholastic Press Inc., Where I realized that?more than expressing my views And "brilliant ideas" and writing with a bit Intent of impressing?being able to communicate Feelings and concern and knowledge in the most Subtle and compromising way most often Hits the goal. I hope that I have indeed mellowed down and had Rather become calmer and more patient: no longer Shoving, instead suggesting; expressing, not Impressing, contributing, not monopolizing; Clarifying, not concluding; offering, not Imposing; and accepting and considerate, no Longer rejecting and indifferent. I hope that the ?I don't care What people say" rebel days have all Been really gone. Wency Cornejo was right after all: "You can't be so radical...." I remember myself back those carefree Days?whenever a jeepney or tricycle driver Wouldn't give my fifty-centavo change, I would Flare up and confront the equally flared- Up guy just to get my well-deserved change, Ignoring the possibility of myself getting hit With a pipe at the least. Now, caught in the same situation?I would Rather simply smile and walk away, believing That the hardworking driver most likely deserves The fifty-centavo better than I deserve it and Avoiding the possibility of a senseless death. - Thursday, May 6, 2004; Surrey, British Columbia, Canada While listening to "Next in Line" by After Image ('Touch the Sun'; 1992, Dyna Products) ©2004 eLf ideas About the Author: aLfie ?eLf? vera mella was born in 1971 in Metro Manila, Philippines. He was a very inquisitive child who had shown fondness for reading and writing at an early age. He graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, but the literatus in him never left his heart. A true artist, eLf was the vocalist of a New Wave band, named Half Life Half Death, which served as the musical vehicle for his poetry. Before he left his beloved country in 2003, he was working as an editor of and writer for scholastic books and magazines. eLf is currently living in British Columbia, Canada, serving as a caregiver for his maternal grandfather. He may have left a well-loved work but for a noble reason, and he never ceased from doing what he loves most since childhood?writing. Virtually always home, he usually spends his solitary nights reading, researching, and writing about various subjects of his interest?chiefly, Culture, History, Literature, Mythology, Music, and Science?with New Wave music always lingering in the background like a gentle breeze on a quiet sea. A writer at heart, eLf started inditing his thoughts around the age of six; and he intends to continue documenting his feelings and ideas until his twilight./http://www.elf-ideas.blogspot.com Source: www.isnare.com |