People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. - Kent M. Keith

6

”Why everybody leaves, Rudy?”

He wiped his tears and sat on the ground before Steph picked him up. I was stunned. I never seen him like this before and yet I had no answer.

I didn't know what to say because I never thought he would react in a way that would burst my thoughts leaving me a blank page all over again. I wanted to say at least something fruitful. I wanted to tell him that he is so much stronger than now.  I wanted him to try. So I give him a big giant hug and he gave a small speech which I took personally. I remained quiet thinking what if I was in his position. The scary part of all this was I am going to face the same scenario soon. Soon enough, to crumble slowly. I never thought he would cry. I never did.

Before we went into the house, I said, ” Remember Mr Ho? ”

He replied ” Of course. How can I not remember him? He was my class teacher laah.”

Fair enough. I smiled and lifted my right arm over his shoulders and we walked in.

009

The Six Rules 

1. If you like something because you think other people are going to like it, it’s a sure bet that no one will.
2. Most doors in the world are closed, so if you find one that you want to get into, you damn well better have an interesting knock.
3. Everything that you think is important isn’t. Everything that you think is unimportant is.
4. Don’t shit where you eat.
5. Lean into it. The outcome doesn’t matter. What matters is that you were there for it, whatever ‘it’ is - good or bad.
6. Don’t sleep with people who have more problems than you do.

-People Like Us

78

Sometimes you just gotta look around to see how lucky you are. Amongst all, they are the shining stars.

It is amazing to be around with such blessed people during Christmas. I am honestly saying that even though there were people including me having a bad day, when it was at night, it was different…when an uncle of yours tells a joke spontaneously and suddenly, the whole family roars a perfect laughter that echoes the entire house. Or an aunty noticing you, serving you small portions of scallop potatoes on your plate with a beautiful smile. Or the cousin who was down with fever suddenly feeling so excited and happy when playing the Xbox. Or the part where Rox opens up the bottle of white wine and distributing to the whole bunch of amazing people. Or that sneaky dog that steals food on the ground whenever there’s a golden chance. Or the part where everyone gets their presents and mutter thank you. It felt like ‘thank you’ was the best thing to say on that day. Last but not least, when everyone was watching the tele and enjoying the movie like a happy family with a happy ending.

56

Dear Hope,

It is horrible to see how things can change in a speed of light. I was watching you smiling the other day as though you were the luckiest person of the day. I have to say you could easily win an award for that playful crooked smile of yours. Then the next day I saw you again, you were frowning. I can’t stop thinking why you were so broken like a priceless porcelain vase accidentally knocked down in a museum. A chain reaction happened and I was sharing the sad thoughts and feelings with you.  

I've heard from a friend of mine that once you’re falling from the top, the seconds are much longer and the hours are worst. It is scary because I think he was absolutely right after seeing you on the second day. And the truth is we are all afraid. We’re afraid of losing someone close to us, afraid of drowning in a pool of failures, afraid of trying something new, afraid to love.

But one day, just one day, it is going to be the opposite. You start rising from the fall. You will..I know you will become stronger, bolder and wiser. There will be a white light shining at the end of the dark tunnel. Sooner or later, you’re going to be part of that white light and everything is going to be alright. Do not let your failures stop you from doing what you believe in. Because I truly believe in you.

Sincerely yours,

Fate

76

“You don’t even need to be in love. Who told you you do? What you need is to be free. What you need is to love. That’s it; that’s your nature. But what you’re really telling me is that you want to be desired. You want to be applauded, to be attractive, to have all the little monkeys running after you. You’re wasting your life. WAKE UP! You don’t need this. You can be blissfully happy without it.”
— Anthony de Mello, “Awareness