At some point in time, the IFC building was nothing more than a one story incompletion. It was a toddler, unaware of the heights it would reach. It probably looked at its taller neighbors and stared in awe of their grandeur. But those days were short. As days, weeks, and months passed, the IFC stood shoulder to shoulder with its peers. Things were great - he had friends with whom he could relate. Friends who were at his level. However, his story did not end there. The IFC was meant for greatness, to outshine its temporary peers to be a superhero of some kind, a beacon of magnificence to the inhabitants of Yeouido, and maybe even all of Seoul. If that was his purpose, well, he succeeded. Many cast their eyes on the edifice and admire the beauty of such a cold yet glimmering, lifeless yet breathing construction. From the outside, the IFC is just that - a symbol of magnificence.
Gazing outside of the bathroom window while performing the sacred ritual of peeing on a gloomy Monday morning, my eyes settled on the 55-floor skyscraper, its height from head to toe 284 meters. The International Finance Center of Yeouido, Seoul, is pretty hard to miss, as it is one of the tallest buildings in South Korea. Seeing the tip of the building above the clouds, I felt a bittersweetness, a mix of admiration and melancholy. I couldn't help but think about how lonely the giant must be - breathing air that others don't breathe, seeing across lands others can't see, and feeling temperatures others can't feel.
Unlike the others, the IFC building was surrounded by clouds of uncertainty, anxiety, and danger that is only found in those heights. Maybe greatness isn't as great as it seems.
We all dream of being the CEO of Apple or Ali Baba. Sure, those people may have everything from riches to honor to fame. And they are worthy of such recognition. Just remind yourself, these people are battling clouds that we do not see. Clouds of uncertainty, anxiety, and danger.
Do you want to achieve unforeseen greatness? I know I do. But before we do, we must ready ourselves for the loneliness to come at the pinnacle of success.
