THE FACES OF LIFE  (Feature)

I remember a story of a woman, which has served as my inspiration to strive for the best. Every time the story crosses my mind, I become more responsible and try not to waste every opportunity to improve as an individual.  These made me enthusiastic and widen my horizon.

This woman came from the lee-privileged family in our province. Her parents’ only source of living was farming. They work so hard that they even went as far as Cervantes, Ilocos Sur to work during harvest season. Yet their income was not enough to support their children’s education.

Poverty made her and her siblings at a young age just to support their schooling. However, due to financial constraints, some of her elder siblings were forced to stop and help their parents earn a living.

When rice and other root crops stolen from their neighbors, her parents were always accused of stealing them even if they were innocent.  They were often accused because they were poor. Her mother was also accused of practicing witchcraft. These further destroyed their reputation.

I also remember this woman telling me when she was in the elementary, she only and three pairs of clothes.  Every time she goes to school, she was careful not make her garments dirty because she had to wear them again the following day.

Despite her status in life, she was consistent honor pupil. She was even the class valedictorian in high school. Unfortunately, the honor was not given to her because she was poor. People even told her she will never finish her studies. It pained her so much but she was not discouraged. Through her determination and hard work, she proved them wrong. She became a working student and after four years of patience, she graduated as elementary school teacher. At present, she is a principal of a school in our province.  Her siblings are also successful.

She proved that even if her life was not easy, she overcame the difficulties through hard work and courage. She never gave up.

Indeed, life is full of challenges and it depends on us how to deal with it.

Our attitude towards life’s challenges is what matter most. Life is not just one-sided story. There are struggles and defeats but there are also triumphs and happy endings.

In our journey through life, it is often said that life without struggle is a life without success.

William Henley’s famous line, “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul,” is true. We are ones who control our fate, not the other way around.

Most of all, in every step we make, let us always remember to have faith in God because he never ceases to guide and protect us. He is our ultimate source of courage to move forward amidst the difficulties of life.