I saw a young man who has a very warm personality. He always makes his friends laugh. He always lends his ears and his shoulders whenever somebody needs his wisdom. He inspires, he motivates, he makes people realize the worth of living and he always makes them see how awesome it is to be part of life. However, in spite of having a bright mindset, his shadow tells everything about his sufferings, his hardships, his endurance, his griefs, and his exhaustion. Despite of his great approach to his classmates, he always gets bullied. Most of the times, he's always been used being the main course of their below-the-belt fun. Ironic, yes it is. Still, such things never conquered his pure soul. His few closest friends are very proud of him because of his firmness in life and given the fact that he actually has the excellent academic performance. They are, indeed, amazed by his courage, positivity, and intellect. Time has come that his classmates had knew about his true state, about his real situation. They began appreciating his presence. They asked for his apology. The world turned upside down for him. He, indeed, became an inspiration of many. People of his life realized that their problems are nothing compared to what he actually has. They began to realize that their problems don't actually deserve too much care of an unnecessary and hyperbolic attention, to be the cause of their anxiety, to do overthinking, and even depression. This young man has something heavier but that circumstance didn't become a confusion to keep the presence of positivity, contentment and gratitude in life.
One day, he got picked as the representative of their school who would attend with a seminar that will be held in an international setting. The said event has a different agenda, so it's such a great surprise for many when they were informed that there will be having an impromptu speech contest for the representative of different schools. When the contest started, most of the representatives are showing mixed emotions and nervousness. Most of them talked about family, friendship, love and nature. When the young man faced his turn, he didn't feel any doubt and hesitation. Instead, he was filled with rejoice and excitement with gladness.
"Hello, a blessed day!" he introduced. "I want to start my speech by asking you, when was the last time you appreciate something?" People became quiet, so, the young man continued, "Appreciation is anything that we give in exchange of something we received out of an undeniable effort, love, and compassion. Whenever we see a great work, we appreciate. Whenever somebody acknowledges our efforts, we appreciate. Whenever somebody chooses to set aside his business just to grant our request, we appreciate. Whenever someone voluntarily extends his help, we appreciate. There are other uncountable situations that show how and when we actually appreciate. But to ask you another question, when was the last time you appreciate life?" Most of the audience answered ‘always’ but others chose to be silent. "Most of you answered ‘always’. What do you mean by appreciating life as always? Is it about believing that life is unfair and unjust? Is it about believing that you don't deserve life? Is it about abusing your body with alcoholic beverages and prohibited drugs? Is it about making some crime or threaten the lives of others? Is it about complaining more about what you're lacking? Is it about corrupting the money of people and deprive them to get what they truly deserved? Is it about making chaos and provoke war against nations? Is it about destroying this place where we live in? Is it about believing that your existence is merely unwanted by this world? Is it about believing that death is better than living with an imperfect and miserable life? Is it about hurting oneself and commit suicide? Is it about showing the opposite of what you mean appreciating life as always? Is that how you appreciate life as always? Well, I'm not gonna make this speech for any longer." He smiled for a relief and said his last wordss, "Just one thing. Figure out the meaning and the purpose of living, and there you'll find life."
I felt blessed when I realized something. The meaning of living is not about the perfection of our reality. It's about knowing who you really are, your direction, and appreciating the design of your existence.
