Matt Pana

the letter

The letter Q is the most rarely used letter in the English language.

Although not as common, the letter still leaves an impact. The very sight of it alarming.  Standing out. In a question. A quote, A qualm. Through qualities and quantities. Quickly coming and going.

You’ll notice in these examples that the letter is followed by “U”. As they’re seen right next to each other. Often associated together.

Even when we’re children, being taught to recite the alphabet. Before you reach the letter, you naturally pause. Taking a quick breath. Barely a second. As you continue to finish the rest

Longevity is an important aspect in any friendship. Surviving the test of time. Age. Growth. As life tends to pull people in different directions. And this past Thursday not only marked a national day of thanks. It was also the 23rd birthday of one of my best friends.

Mike Quiray. Appropriately named “Q”

And just like the letter, you’ve always stood beside me. I could always count on you to stick by me. Through all the pauses in my life, you were always there. With every breath I’ve taken. No matter how small.

While we don’t get to see each other too often, your presence in my life will never go unnoticed.

stories

Once upon a time, I stood at the foot of a skyscraper.

A building as high as the eye can see. Piercing through the clouds. Stoic. Unmoving. But there was something very important waiting at the top. A reservation. An opportunity.  An appointment that could quite possibly change my life forever.

I was left with two options. To take the stairs or the elevator.

The stairs would be a journey to say the least. A journey that would be straining. Time consuming. Feeling every level and every step. With no other choice but to exert more effort. The more baggage I had, the more strenuous my trip would be. Yet, the stairs would test my limits. Developing and strengthening my spirit. Passing people on their way up, and even more on their way down. Despite the traffic ahead, I would be in control of my own pace. Responsible for no one but myself.

The elevator would be the ideal option. Less strain. Less stress. Faster at first. All it takes is pushing a few buttons, and I would get to where I needed to be in no time. But space is limited. Filling up slowly at every level. The only difference here is that I lack full-control. I would be dependent on the elevator. Dependent on the system. As a vessel. A vehicle. To take me from Point A to Point B. And I would soon realize that there were restrictions. Requirements. With less liberty to move.

Now the stairs represent the freelance. The indie. Pursuing your passions independently. The elevator represents the commercial. The mainstream. Depending on that big break.

Neither option is right or wrong. Both can take you to the same place. Both require letting go. All that matters is what you find most important. Time or control.

No matter what path you decide to take, each story in your skyscraper is just another story in your life. And it’s up to you where you decide to take it.

While some things in life may tower over you. There’s always a way to the top.

wax

How can you tell if someone is being sincere?

Many believe that the word sincere comes from the Latin sine, meaning without, and cera, meaning wax. According to Roman folklore, dishonest craftsmen would cover their flaws with wax in order to mask imperfections. Say a crack or scratch found in a marble statue. As the wax would begin to melt, sections would start to shift and collapse. Thus, a statue “without wax” would be genuine. A real work of art.

We all know that one person who’s full of it. Filled with white lies and half-truths. That one person who will always go for a quick fix. An easy means. Presenting you one in place of another.

Perhaps these people feel the need to cover up. Covering those parts that are flawed. Broken. Incomplete. All in fear that they may not be accepted.

But what we forget to realize is the purpose of wax. Like a candle, only able to keep going for so long. Like wax paper, no matter how you use it, people can always see right through.

Because before we know it, we will eventually become our own statues. A tribute to who we are and what we’ve done. Both the good and the bad. Made with substance. Laying foundation. All the while, slowly taking shape. Slowly becoming who we truly are. 

As a tribute. As a work of art. As real as it gets.