The end of 2014 is near. The end in which my 20 over years of education is finally coming to an end.
Did I achieve what I set out to do initially? I guess I could safely answer, yes.
"Its not about the end, its about the process"
I never truly understood what this meant until I began my journey in NUS.
Throughout my 20 years of education, I clearly wanted to score well just like everyone else.
More often than not, I am faced with setbacks and I questioned and asked myself why?
Why did these things happen to me? Why of all people, Me?
The church recently taught me about "the race". In the bible, it preached about a race to fulfil the journey to know God better. In my mind, I had the concept of "life" as a race.
This race was indeed arduous but I fought hard and emerged stronger than I would have been without all these obstacles.
I was never really an A-star student, and neither was I born a genius.
I always hope to prove people wrong one day. Hope to prove my worth.
It was tough because people didn't believe in me. But that did not diminish the small hope I had in me.
I grew up often being grateful to the few who really believed and stood by me. I learnt gratitude.
I grew up often bullied and I crumbled but I did not give up because of the support I had around me. I learnt sympathy.
I grew up thinking who I was is good enough. But I was wrong. I learnt not to be complacent.
I learnt who are those who stayed, and who are those who left. I learnt friendship.
When I was at my worst, when my health was collapsing, I held the cross in my hand. I learnt to have Faith in God and His Presence.
Because of all the unhappiness, I learnt that good things are a gift. You can pray and wish for it.
I really grew and blossomed, mentally.
At the end of my University life, I asked a very important question.
That is, how much value did you bring to the people around you during these 3 years?
How many "people" truly regarded you as a friend.
I touched my conscience and my heart. I have people who believe in me. I have built friendships that will last an entire lifetime.
Along the way, I gained these beautiful lessons which cannot be taught, nor can they be bought or shared. They can only be experienced by oneself.
Experience comes a long long way.
To my future self, I hope that one day, you will understand more lessons to come. In times of hardship, endure through and soon you will see the light. Its easier to say than to do, but you have come a long way to be where you are now. That's the truth and that's the light.
