The World's Manual - Translation by Nicholas E. Walker

When the world was given to me, it came without a manual. I considered what I was given, trying to understand a little bit more each day, until I stopped. I stopped because it is not possible to understand the world, and that is why it does not come with a manual. If it came with one, people would spend their time reading about the world instead of living in it. Still, people try to understand it, to find themselves, to know where where they came from and where they are going, and they see a lack of change as a good thing...

I always throw myself into everything I do. This year I wanted to understand why some things happen. I lost precious time and did not learn anything. Everything I wanted to know I had already learned in kindergarten or from the original series of Star Trek. As it is impossible to understand everything, from time to time we need to return to basic things: Remember your true friends, the very few true friends, the ones who support you at the times when you can not support yourself. Remember that love lasts forever, but that it is a constant choice and challenge. Be careful with people who try to deceive you, people who are fundamentally bad, those who follow only their own agenda and who are not there for you or for others.

Now, I have one thing to say: the world is full of people, and most of those people are good people. It is awful that reporters make us see more tragedies than good things, because that keeps us from seeing that the world is full of good things. There are so many good people and good things in the world. If those who only follow their own agenda would stop and look around them and see that there are others in this world, the world would be a better place.

I think I almost changed this year... I spent some of it being self-conscious, preoccupied with what others might think about me. I stopped because I realized that I only need to worry about how I am seen by the people who love me. The others can just follow their agendas. I have passed my 40th birthday, and I have good friends who accept me, the entire package, and it is a wonderful thing.

"Everything, always, always always equal" said Kleiton Ramil in a song about his home in Laranjal. In order to be able to change, I need to trust that the good things will not change. The year of 2005 will see many changes, and in it I will have many new and interesting conversations. Nonetheless I will remain the same person throughout the year; it is true that I will continue to learn many things, but my essence will remain the same. I have a solid core of people with whom I will spend much of the year: my wife, my daughters, my parents and brothers, and my few and good friends who I can always go to for a good shoulder and an ear to listen. With this permanent and steady base, all change is good!

Merry Christmas, and for 2005 I wish for a blank slate on which we can write together what will be better for all of us!

Cesar Brod
Translation by Nicholas E. Walker