By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo

 

IF you have not seen it, watch Alexander: The Making of a God, a six-part docuseries that explores Alexander the Great’s conquests using contemporary accounts and fact-based archaeology, based mainly on ongoing excavations being undertaken by Greek archeologist Calliope Limneos-Papakosta in Alexandria, Egypt, the city that Alexander the Great founded.

The documentary explores Alexander’s character and passion, his strategies in battle, his friendships and sexuality, his ability to make others follow to the point where they risk their own lives.  The historical analysis by different experts enriches the movie and makes it easier for viewers to comprehend how Alexander created “the largest Western empire in history, from Greece to part of India, in just under six years.”

For the first time, I got a glimpse of Alexander’s determination, in the scene where General Parmenion advised him to recapitulate his attack on Persia, knowing they were heavily outnumbered:

“That would be suicide!”, the general said.

“Exactly. That’s the only way we can win!”, Alexander replied, and proceeded to attack.

Suicide. Here, suicide is not depicted as a cowardly act, but an act of courage. It takes some courage to commit suicide because it requires overcoming a natural instinct for self-preservation. His “suicide” conquered Persia (present-day Iran).

The documentary provides many insights on taking risks, calculable or not. It reinforces the fact that success comes to those who are determined to win, and lay their lives on the line. It hints on attitudes that we can work on to achieve our goals.

I am witness to a few ordinary individuals who have extraordinary lives with that kind of courage and experience. I have to admit that like General Parmenion, I have advised some of them to proceed with their plans with calculable risks. They succeeded with their “suicide”, despite my advice to the contrary, saying:

“Hey, you’re suicidal yourself!”

Indeed. At some point in our lives, we become suicidal in a way. We ignore all advice and follow our passions. We die. Bit by bit, we die. We die a little more with each try.  We try, again and again. And then we resurrect. Winston Churchill was right:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

 

Footnote: My admiration to my brother who stuck to his guns, plodded on relentlessly to pursue his dream, when his environment was clouded with scarcity and negativity. Finally, the negativity gave up on him. Very soon, scarcity will leave him, too. Perhaps the negativity was really a positive energy. Congratulations, Architect Renato Jasmin Pasalo. #

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