GRINDSTONE

"It's my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble" -Attributed to Hellen Keller-

I came to work unhappy because I didn't know what to do. I submitted a bio-data like as if I just signed an autograph for some friend. I carried my uniform well but my eyes reflected immaturity and inexperience. I was scared and I shivered all over. I wasn't sure but I was determined to go on. I was a kid again, learning how to stand up in the real world. I used to cry and maybe will still do because I lacked confidence. I mean, how can I possibly gain confidence when I don't even know who to trust or what to rely on? How can I be assured when I don't even have any knowledge of what has to be done? How can I make a first move if I don't even know where to put myself?

But after all the adjustment, I have met so many "beautiful" people. Strong, independent and brave, they face the world with a smile and a healthy laugh.

A co-worker narrated to me her childhood days after asking about her age and commenting that she acts more mature for a 19 year old. At 12, she left her parents to stay with her uncle as her own decision. At 15, she moved out and started to live in a boarding house. When she went to college, she paid for her tuition fee by working part-time. She said she had a lot of brothers and sisters, which is one of the reason why she chose to move out but mainly, ever since, she always wanted to be independent. Another 19 year old girl shared to me her side of story. She's the eldest and she has two siblings, which she is currently sending to school. Her parents are in some place, working. She said she has plans of going to school but that has to wait until her siblings graduate. Many of my co-workers are working because they want to earn for themselves. Most of them gives more importance on their education, which is why they are working. At the age of 19 and up, all are striving hard so that they can be independent and that they can fulfill something. One of my co-workers is even 3 months pregnant, a 22 year old, single, soon-to-be mother.

It is overwhelming for someone, like me, who complains a lot about their situation as if it's such a problem, when he/she learns that someone else is less luckier than him/her. I feel so much embarrassed and dumbfounded because I've done nothing but whimper and hide while others try their very best to reach the top, no matter how far they are and no matter how greasy the pole is. I find them the luckiest, compared to the rich kids who are mostly used to being spoon-fed and growing up to be spoiled and bratty, at times. And why? Because they aren't afraid to face the real world, they are not afraid to fail. I don't think, it's because they don't care, I guess, it's because they aren't used to being mollycoddled or catered to or even at the least, pampered by their own parents, if they ever had one. That's why they are bound to be always ready to accept any challenge that life has in store for them. Maybe that is, even, why only to the very unfortunate that success comes early.

I learned from the people, who I least expected, that one doesn't really need to be ready in knowledge, experience doesn't come without courage and determination and wisdom is bought by experience. While, experience is built on the way down, after you leap in the dark, and only gained wisdom will light your way. Truly, it is common sense to take a method and try it and if it ever fails, we should learn how to admit it frankly and try another. Everything is not far from reach, some are even within your grasp... You just have to be brave enough to open your eyes and look closer to know it.
Technorati Profile