There you go.. the story...

LIFE IS GREAT

Maria came to me last night with the gloomiest face I’ve ever seen. With tears flowing down her beautiful face, she said “Pak Usu, why my life is like this?”

I asked her back “What’s bothering you?”

“Boys at school are so mean, they call me names. Plus there’s so many homework that I have to do, mum and dad are not home yet.” She murmured in between her sobbing.

Suddenly she screamed, “I hate my life!!”

Gently I hugged her and said "Be grateful to your life, life is great".

“No matter how much you think that your life could have been better, or your face should have been prettier, or your parents could be richer and more understanding. Wake up and realize that your life is much better than most of other people in this world. Having pimples, using old handphones or shoe brand, unpopular, does not mean it is end of the world.”

Pausing for a second, I continued “Most of other people are doing a lot worst than we are. Do you know that approximately 850 million people worldwide are malnourished. Worldwide, there were some 17.1 million refugees and displaced persons at the end of 2003. Largely as a result of wars, political turbulence, civil conflict and social unrest.”

Sometimes you don’t even have to look far away to realize how lucky you are. To have a house that is comfortable to live in, nice foods on the table, parents whom always love you, friends and teachers at school. There are a lot more good things that we always take for granted. We always look for something that we do not have. When what we should do is to look at all the things that we have.

“Be happy with what you have. Love your parents. Respect your teachers. Have fun with your friends. Don’t feel so bad if sometimes you do not get what you want, or the boy you like is not being nice to you, or your teachers are strict.
You are still young to worry too much. The most important, never hate yourself for what you are cause LIFE IS GREAT.”

“Thanks Pak Usu, I don’t hate my life anymore” she went back upstairs with smile on her face.


"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance"
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)