I cried like a baby when she pinched my nose, while at the same time maneuvering through all sorts of terrifying surgical equipment. “ahh, there it is”, as she picked up one of those metal sticks and began to squeezed into my face. It was my fourth facial treatment and everytime I’d turned into a little baby, crying for mom’s help as I looked helplessly at her getting rid of the poisonous pickles on my face.
I don’t really remember the last time I cried, like the-full-of-intense-feeling-crying that’s enough to induce those rolling tears. I’ve stopped tearing ever since I saw my mom cried over a complicated work matter. I figured out I’d have to be strong for the family, for friends. And tearing up is a global sign of weakness, I just hate to display those weaknesses in public. It doesn’t feel right.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my humane touch. And definitely not an indication of a ignorance to problems I’ve had. Everyone has their fair share of bad circumstances, broken relationships, failures in life and that list goes on and on. It’s part & parcel in life. While it gives right to everyone to bitch/rant about it all day long, ultimately it’s really down to each individual to manage their affair in a manner they’d feel comfortable. Some feel obliged to tell the whole world about it, some feel the need to scout for attention, some choose to soak themselves in a corner, or some will just sweep it under the table.
I’ve grown up to be not judgmental, and to learn that differing personalities are the diversity blessed in our lives. We are bound to meet people who deal with their circumstances differently, and who are we to say that they are wrong? But there comes a point when there’s a limit to such. There comes a point where you just have to accept the adversities in life, that these are challenges life thrown at you. Blaming the circumstances will not do any better, but taking charge will change it, be it for the better or worse. What matters when you keep soldier on with that burning desire?
One of my good friend gave me this book for Christmas. It’s about how a wrestler, without proper limbs, set forward in his life for one goal – to win a wrestling championship. It’s hard to imagine how’s it like for a normal person to step on the fighting ring. Kyle Maynard, who already has a physical disadvantage never counts his disability a burden, but a motivation to work harder, better.
So next time if you think you are going through a hard patch, think again. Things might not be as difficult as it seems. Take a step backward and have a bird eye view. It might not even be a problem in the first place!
She left me with a note,
“You may have all your limbs but I have full faith that you can will also end up a champion in life.”