Lunar, Heather 1H

Reflection on Faith

As I read on the reading materials, I try remembering the faces of the people who made a truly great
impact in my life. It all took me back to the first time I met them. I am often a shy, quiet person, closed
body language, standoffish and avoiding small talk as much as possible. The people I kept in my life,
however, are those whom I immediately felt a connection with. It was my instinct, based on their
beaming smiles and warm affections, to let my guard down and instantly put faith in these strangers. I
like to think of myself as a very aloof person when I put people at a distance but somehow there are
those who disarmed me.

Then, these strangers turned to friends, lovers, mentors, and family. They are the pillars of strength that
I hold onto when my life is in shambles. I imagine myself now, and ask, what if I have never put faith in
them in the first place? What if I turned my back around when they offered friendship, advice, a lending
hand perhaps? Would I be the same person I am today? Would I look at the world the way I do now? I
saw myself going in a completely different direction. I became who I am through the faith I gave in
people.

Granted, not every faith I gave away were returned graciously. Some of those who took my trust were
not able to learn how to do the same as they were probably mistreated, misguided and overall, have
never experienced in putting complete faith on someone. The years they lived has hardened them, and
made a completely cold, uncaring and deceitful person out of them. I pray to God I do not become as
such. I may have been lied to, I may have cried for the same people who took the faith I gave for
granted, but I am well aware, they are not everyone. The love I receive from those who care for me far
outweigh the lies that were fed to me. Humanity is an ocean, Gandhi says. A drop does not make it
dirty. Those words will resound in my head long after I have read them.

It is amazing how putting faith to strangers shapes our lives. This is what makes it quite exciting. We do
not begin being familiar with each other. Every new person is a brand-new experience, a life-defining
lesson or simply, an addition to puzzles that build our character. Most importantly, faith is that which
kept me going. I have lived long enough to experience the harshness that life has to offer, and I am not
even halfway there. I know more challenges await me. Somehow it is frightening, but with faith in God,
myself, and the people that surrounds me, I am not afraid to face them. As Mother Teresa says, Build
anyway. I am bravest when I put faith in all things that I do.