Seasons change, night falls, day breaks, wealth fades, and technology ages but life is way more than that.
One cool summer night, I was gazing at the dark but starry heavens lit by the fullness of the moonlight when a scene caught and captivated my clouded senses. A scene that reminded me of what life on earth should be. A family in their barong-barong just meters away from where I am. A shelter made up of a recycled and rusted aluminium roof that, should an ant sneeze, would surely be blown off. Uneven wood flooring on which they spend their nights dreaming of their unrealized dreams and routine candle lit dinners. Sofas and toilets that flush shall forever remain a mystery to them. Their children go to school with faded and crumpled school uniforms, worn out bags, mismatched socks and- if they’re lucky enough- a good pair of shoes. Life was kept out of complexity. They don’t have televisions to spend watching dramas through the night; they don’t have Steve Jobs to reach the virtual world; they are strangers to Android; they don’t even have a bed to call their own. They don’t have Louis Vuitton or Hermes; they cook their food on firewood; they study their lessons through candle light, yet you can still see happiness and contentment in their eyes.
The scene made me feel light-hearted and realize how lucky I was to have parents working their butts off to send me to prestigious schools providing all the decent things I need. How lucky I was that when I was younger, I always had a new set of school supplies at the start of every school year. How lucky I was to own a Barbie when I was a kid, that I’m a computer literate at the age of 11, that I can goof around the club and eat on buffet anytime I want, that I am here writing this with an excellent power source.
Life is neither about wealth nor prestige, they are just merits. But real life? It is appreciating what you have and being happy despite of the detours, humps and road repairs during the journey. Learn to appreciate everything. If you are in pain, feel it! If you are confused, pray. If you are happy, scream at the top of your lungs, laugh your heart out, dance under the rain, and take chances. We’ve got only one life to live, dare to be different and make memorable memories.
One cool summer night, I was gazing at the dark but starry heavens lit by the fullness of the moonlight when a scene caught and captivated my clouded senses. A scene that reminded me of what life on earth should be. A family in their barong-barong just meters away from where I am. A shelter made up of a recycled and rusted aluminium roof that, should an ant sneeze, would surely be blown off. Uneven wood flooring on which they spend their nights dreaming of their unrealized dreams and routine candle lit dinners. Sofas and toilets that flush shall forever remain a mystery to them. Their children go to school with faded and crumpled school uniforms, worn out bags, mismatched socks and- if they’re lucky enough- a good pair of shoes. Life was kept out of complexity. They don’t have televisions to spend watching dramas through the night; they don’t have Steve Jobs to reach the virtual world; they are strangers to Android; they don’t even have a bed to call their own. They don’t have Louis Vuitton or Hermes; they cook their food on firewood; they study their lessons through candle light, yet you can still see happiness and contentment in their eyes.
The scene made me feel light-hearted and realize how lucky I was to have parents working their butts off to send me to prestigious schools providing all the decent things I need. How lucky I was that when I was younger, I always had a new set of school supplies at the start of every school year. How lucky I was to own a Barbie when I was a kid, that I’m a computer literate at the age of 11, that I can goof around the club and eat on buffet anytime I want, that I am here writing this with an excellent power source.
Life is neither about wealth nor prestige, they are just merits. But real life? It is appreciating what you have and being happy despite of the detours, humps and road repairs during the journey. Learn to appreciate everything. If you are in pain, feel it! If you are confused, pray. If you are happy, scream at the top of your lungs, laugh your heart out, dance under the rain, and take chances. We’ve got only one life to live, dare to be different and make memorable memories.
Inspired, Inspirational, and dedicated, Julie Anne is a 20-year-old writer from the Philippines.
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| Artwork by Marta Dahlig |
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