NYC, Finding Passion, and an Epiphany
Did you know that the Greeks didn’t write obituaries or eulogies? They only asked one question after a man died: “Did he have passion?”
Hep. Before you start googling those lines to see if I plagiarized a Hollywood film because you’re thinking, hey, that sounds familiar, let me help you by saying that yes, those aren’t my own words. They’re actually from the movie Serendipity.
And let me help you remember that movie by posting this:
Serendipity Cafe at East 60th Street
Sorry, I just had to post that one. I was there!! :P
You see, that’s one of the things I waste precious hours over lately. I’d watch old movies taken in New York, and if I see a place I happened to have been to when I was there, I’d open up my folder of photos again and look for that place and sigh and wish I could somehow go back.
Anyway, the point is, the New York fever is still not cured. And I’m currently stuck in that phase where replaying NY movies is more important to me than taking my regular dose of stress tabs. Or adjusting my sleeping habits so I can go to work early the next day.
The other day I dreamt I was lost in the subway, not knowing which train to take. And then the most annoying blonde approached me with her perfect teeth and perfectly combed hair and perfect New York accent, and she was the one who actually helped me find my way. Why, Lord, why those dreams? :(
And. I’m. Losing. My. Train. Of. Thought. Again.
What I’m really trying to share is, and I do have a point.. in the course of trying to nurse this seemingly incurable disease that New York left me with, I actually had an epiphany. And what do you know, a line in a movie actually made me realize what could be missing in this life of mine.
Passion.
I need to find passion. To be so obsessed about something again enough to make me wake up early in the morning and face the day with excitement. New Yorkers strike me that way — they’re a people full of passion and drive to move and live; after all, they probably won’t be able to survive a place like that not armed with loads of those.
And that’s probably what I need, too. I need a purpose greater than finding the perfect pair of boots. (Which I haven’t found yet, by the way, unless I finally decide to succumb to that Aldo pair which has been the closest thing to perfect, so far. Italktoomuchblahblah.) Or, perhaps, I need to re-evaluate myself and find that one thing that I used to be passionate about, and be re-acquainted with it.
And who knows, someday, that one question that the Greeks used to ask will be answered with a resounding YES in this life of mine.
I’m getting there, I know it. When I find it, I’ll let you know.
stoxbnx3 said,
November 13, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
been to new york, too. it didn’t strike me. i like chicago better. :)
the xaris said,
November 14, 2008 @ 11:08 pm
you just had to ask that one question i have been avoiding since i decided this life is not worth it. rawr.
now i’m on the look-out for ‘passion.’ sheesh. why’d you have to influence me oh so much ate wheezas? nyahar. x)
tarits said,
November 15, 2008 @ 12:29 am
I need to find passion. To be so obsessed about something again enough to make me wake up early in the morning and face the day with excitement.
riz, if you find yours, please let me know… i also need to find the ONE thing that I have been called to do… mahirap pala maging jack of all trades, master of none.
miss you.
Jam said,
November 18, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
yay! serendipity!! haha..i think we watched this movie together (for the 2nd or 3rd time)hihi.
I pray that your passion, will be HIM. (but of course, suggestion lang yun…kanya-kanyang hanap ng passion. hehe)
miss u and love u!mwah!
riz said,
November 18, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
You’re Chicago is my New York, and vice versa. I haven’t been to Chicago, it never really struck me to go there, but who knows someday. :)
riz said,
November 18, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Eh kung Passion Iced Tea sa Starbucks nalang? :D
riz said,
November 18, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
I know right. Sounds familar, parang napagkwentuhan na naten to before. Hehe. :)
riz said,
November 18, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
Huuy Ate Jam! Haha. Of corz i remember Serendipity! :)
And of course passion for Him is a default, a given. (and I’m kinda expecting na someone will comment on this one, hehe). ;) What I’m really hoping to find when I wrote this post however is something more ‘tangible’. Like, where to go, what to do, how to maximize what I have. ;)
Miss din kita! Then again, I still feel updated with what’s happening in your life through your blog. Haha, lurk lurk. Miss youu ate jam!
Jam said,
November 19, 2008 @ 7:37 am
:) ahhh…hmmm.
Well, i remember what my discipler told us before, to have a VISION, then be passionate to attain it, by God’s grace.
Nakows. wala pa atang 10% ng nangyayari sa buhay ko yung nasa blog. hehe.
Attend ka homecoming? :)
aileen said,
November 22, 2008 @ 1:35 am
gaaaaaahahhahahah! i didn’t know you’ve gone to New York, and you’ve experienced an A-class celebrity sighting! Gosh! I’m so over-and-beyond-the-moon in awe! I love Manhattan, too Rizy baby. Haven’t been in a while.
Andy said,
December 3, 2008 @ 5:43 am
Oh, I love your blog and want to hear more about your New York. It’s what I do, walk around Manhattan and podcast about it. Great framing of your picture for Serendipity, too. I was just on that block, a few days ago! ~ Best, Andy
// Quarter Life Monologues » Remembering Central Park said,
February 3, 2009 @ 1:48 am
[...] I saw the Wollman Rink where Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack had their Serendipity moment. But when I was there in October, the rink wasn’t ready for skating, and the leaves [...]
Kurt Weber said,
November 18, 2009 @ 10:34 pm
Thanks for the words of “passion,” and congratulations for being so aware at “quarter-life.”
I’m a psychologist, currently in search of more passion myself!
Best regards —
Kurt