As an 18-year-old woman and the eldest child in the family, I’ve been through so much

in my life. Those years became memorable because they actually shaped me as a

person and who I am right now. The world only revolves around sadness and
happiness. There are times when life is very tough, but after the rain, there’s always a
rainbow. If you’re feeling sad right now, tomorrow will be a wonderful day. My quotation
for life was always, "Hell was the journey, but it brought me Heaven". Personally, I think
having a memory of being sad or happy is very precious to a person because it helps us
cope with society and ourselves. We know how to deal with it and we know how to
overcome it.

Being sad is normal and being happy is great. I would like to compare my life to a bed
full of roses. The rose is so fragrant and very comforting, but as you sleep on it for so
long, the thorns on its stem become painful. But indeed, this helps me to see the world
in different ways, and I am learning each day, without pause. And if any circumstances
hinder me, I know how to go to that flow. With that, I would like to share my 6
experiences in life that made me the best version of myself, the way I am independent
and strong, the 3 saddest moments in my life that made me weak, but built me stronger,
and the 3 happiest moments in my life that made me want to pursue life no matter how
hard it was.

Firstly, the 3 saddest moments of my life. One of the saddest moments of my life is the
day when my parents disregarded my feelings. Ever since I became aware of my
surroundings, I also became aware of how they rejected what I felt inside. It’s very hard
to become the first child in a family. Those responsibilities were too much for me to
carry on my own. When I told them that it was so stressful for me to have an online
class and numerous activities, they just ignored me as if I was not around. They didn’t
ask me how I felt. They don’t ask me if I’m okay. And the day that I didn’t eat and slept
too much, I knew I was in the stage of depression. But when I mentioned to them that
matter, they just said, ‘depressed? Why are you so depressed? You're just asleep,
you're just thinking about it, stop!’. I don’t know how to respond to it, but that was the
first very sad moment of my life.

The second one is when my one and only best friend in high school betrayed me. We
are so close and we’re both comfortable with each other, but then one day, I saw my
other classmate posted a picture of their outing and swimming. I knew there was
something off because she kept hiding those things from me. I would understand it if
she would say it to me or even talk about it to me, but she did not. She also repeated it.
On her birthday, she didn’t invite me. She invited her other friends except me. I cried a
lot that day. I knew I had to let go of her the moment she forgot me on her very special
day. I left her that day and she didn’t even admit her mistakes. I was left hanging on the
ground while she was on top. That day, the girl who always laughs at me and who
understands me very well, left me in the dark.

The third one is when the guy I liked for 2 years rejected me on New Year’s Eve. It was
common to feel sad about it, but this moment changed me. I did everything I could to
get noticed, right up until the point where I lost myself. I’m always willing to spend my
time just for him. It was very sad because I’d lost myself in the dark once again. The
moment I confessed to him, he rejected me. It was traumatizing for me because I lost
my confidence in life, my self-balance. I always felt that people would reject me. I
became conscious about my body and face. Overthinking each night, I wondered why
he did not like me back. It was so very traumatizing that it caused me too much pain.

Turning the topic upside down, let us go to the 3 happiest moments of my life. The first
one is when I got a part-time job for 20 days which pays me 5,600php. It was very worth
it because I’ve learned a lot during those days. That was the first time I became excited,
and since it was my first job, although it was part-time, I've worked ever since. I spend
that money on buying the things I like, and I treat my family as well. It feels like I’m on
the clouds because somehow, I proved something to my parents that I can do
everything because I’m an independent woman.

The second one is when I meet the woman who will give me joy each day, which is my
best friend. I met him when I was at the University of Makati, enrolled as an ABM
student in Section 10. Days have become happier for me ever since I met her. She also
teaches me about other things in life that I haven’t seen. She teaches me to be a good
and god-fearing woman.

The third one is very recent; it is when I attended a Christian church and I became close
to God. My best friend recommended me to attend that church. That was the very first
time that I was very happy about my time with the Lord. It is like I’m free. I started
making a devotion every day and reading the bible. It was very true that I can do
everything with God who empowers me.

Those 6 experiences in my life indeed shaped me as a person. Neglected feelings,

betrayed feelings, and rejection. Those trying times teach me a lot of valuable lessons. I
just responded to those things by crying, but then I realized why those things happened
to me. Then I realized that I gained so much wisdom from them. I used that as an
instrument to build myself stronger. A chance job, a best friend, and God. Those joyful
moments in my life inspire me to continue my life. I responded to that situation with
open arms, accepting them. I treasured them the moment I grabbed them. Those
responses in my life were very satisfying for me, looking back. It was the right choice
and decision I’ve made. Indeed, small steps in the right direction can turn out to be the
biggest steps of our lives.