Naked Series 1
A healthy relationship doesn't just revolve around butterflies and kiligs, a healthy relationship is something that helps you both grow together. But not every relationship comes to a happy ending, some just end there, and some find t...
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I closed my eyes and then took a deep breath in an attempt to calm my ragged nerves. I swallowed down my nausea and with my shaky hands, I took the mic from the podium and gave the audience a quick crooked smile.
"If there is one lesson that I've learned through my college journey, that is the truth that vulnerability is not something we should reprimand ourselves for. Why? You may ask. It is because our vulnerability is not just limited to just being transparent, it also opens a new path for us to see success in a different light, in a clearer perspective. In the walk of life, it is inevitable that we stumble and fall, but it is on us whether to miserably stay in that slump or to rise regardless of how painful our bruised and scarred knees are. We should never brand ourselves based on our failing stories and our past wounds because they were the key to unlock the person that we are today; a person who does not fear the rebuilding." I managed to calmly deliver the intro of my speech despite of the nervousness that is flooding my system.
I maintained my eye contact with the people in front, still wearing my pretentious calm facial expression. "All my life, I tied my worth to academic validation. No matter how hard I try and no matter how many times my Mom assures me that it's fine as long as I'm learning, I still can't seem to quench my thirst for academic validation. Why? It's because studying is the only thing that I am good at, I have no talents or skills to improve and no social life to be lost at. Studying is the only companion I had, the only thing that made me feel the intoxicating sensation of accomplishment," I continued as a bitter taste started to spread in my mouth.
I unconsciously placed my free hand on my chest. "An acquaintance told me something along the lines of, "Do you want to know why there's still a pit of emptiness inside you despite of all the shiny achievements you have? It's because you do not hold yourself to the standard of how you hold everybody else." That's when the realization struck me. I realized how unhealthy I was, how self-destructing my ways are, and how draining it is to live a life with that purpose," I said, nodding my head as memories flood the back of my mind.
"We are always kind to other people but are always harsh to ourselves. In a nutshell, we are our own biggest critique." I paused, browsing through their agreeing faces. "Experience and success are multi-dimensional, it is and it will never be just about your grades or your academic achievements. There is more to life than your grades and the expectations that you are carrying on your shoulders. Don't make the same mistake that I committed... Don't lose yourself."
"When we risk nothing, we risk everything. Everything we came here to do is everything we came here to be. I realized that my fear will not bring me anywhere but to my destruction. My reluctance to continue because of my fear of failing is the barrier that's stopping me from holding the success that I have long been seeking for. We have to bondage our fear with faith--we have to find the strength in our scars so it won't be a wound that they can pierce. We have to begin again." I emphasized every word, making sure that I am delivering every word with conviction.
