Reasons to be Happy

"It's all in the mind. Think happy, be happy."

That was what I told Katrina when she was jilted by her ex-boyfriend. I have never met him. According to Katrina, he was very good-looking, hence was swooned by countless ladies. Katrina was pretty. I imagined them to be a perfect match. Physically.

Katrina and I had only known each other for barely a couple of days when she decided to talk about her failed relationship. It became apparent that she needed to talk. Let's call her ex Josh. When Josh courted Katrina and asked her to be his girlfriend, she was forthright. She did not resist this charming chap, but told him that she had a tendency to "take things hard". He promised her that he could tolerate this imperfection of his supposed dreamgirl. Needless to say, he managed to coax her into a relationship.

During the initial stage of this relationship, Katrina did not have actual feelings for Josh. She was "merely" dating him. Back then, Katrina reminisced, he showered her with love. He was there for her. When Katrina did develop real feelings for him, she showed that she did care. A lot. Ironically, it was the reason why Josh no longer cared.

Katrina decided to talk to Josh, regarding this matter. She felt that he was no longer there for her. He displayed his temper, ticking Katrina off, telling her that she was ungrateful. Given her soft nature, Katrina was silented. However, every part of it would repeat from time to time. Josh gave her the punishment she did not deserve. No one deserved his ugly treatment. He would give her the cold shoulder for a long period of time. Later, he'd sense that his girl was slipping away, and give her the wrong message that he "still loved her". If he truly did, those things wouldn't happen.

Katrina wept a lot, especially at night when there was nothing to distract her. Nonetheless, she swallowed everything. Perhaps, she did believe that things would change for the better. Her faith wasn't exactly a bad thing. However, she had needed to see things just the way they were. The last straw arrived when she saw that Josh had been flirting with an ex-girlfriend on a social network.

She sought my advice. I told her, honestly, that he wasn't worthy of her love and attention. She deserved better than a guy who did not care. I told her that she could salvage her dignity and walk away with her head up high. If Josh ever wanted her back, she wouldn't even look at him by the time.

I also attempted to counsel Katrina. Katrina told me that she won't ever want to date again. Because of a disappointing guy, she had lost the ability to love. I wanted to convince her that it isn't necessary. Swearing herself off romantic relationships because of one failed attempt isn't the best value of an experience. Stay hopeful, I'd said, not every guy out there is rotten.

But she was so immersed in self-pity that she wouldn't listen. I decided to leave it for another time.

Some days later, I went to the library after a class and saw that Katrina was no longer there, as we were previously. Later, I learned that she'd attempted suicide, but was rescued by some people. Good Samaritans.

And hopefully, Katrina will get better each day, and leave the unhappy incidents behind. Those things are too insignificant. And should remain unimportant.


When I was 14 or so, I had developed multiple symptoms of clinical depression. Fortunately, I was able to shake them off without a trip the therapist. At home, I shut myself in the room. Sometimes, I would pour out my sorrows in my tears. At school, no one would listen. I was betrayed by a jealous girl who was once a friend. She spread lies, this caused me and some other friends to fall out. One of them believed me, but did not dare to put an arm around me for fear this girl would strike against her. In the end, truth won. I survived. Everyone believed in me. I learned my lessons. Now, I am a lot stronger.

Since arriving in this university, two girls have told me that I am awesome because besides being very bright, I take things to my hands effortlessly. The little effort- which gets things done perfectly is one of the results of positive-thinking. I am happy everyday, so I am able to do great in many things. As in academics and networking.

The capacity of you, strongly depends on how well you think you could do. All these while, I'd believed that I could do honor rolls, and my impressive grades have proven it. If you believe you could take on something- as little as a puzzle or as big as the world, you could do it. Just invest some effort.

Smile. Laugh. Be happy.

Inspirational Steve

Of all people, would you expect to be inspired by the CEO of Apple and Pixar Animation Studios?

Hold on. Let me clarify that persuasiveness and inspiring have a distinct difference. I trust you have the ability to figure it out without me telling you how.

It is undeniable that Steve Jobs possesses the ability to mesmerize his audience, with his speech, presentation and occasional humor. His far-sighted attribute, his capacity to judge consumers' preference for his companies' products (particularly Apple), to utilize resources effectively were what inspired me in the first place. I hope I can accomplish what he has presently someday. I vow to work smart for that.

If you, by chance or choice, have viewed this amazing long-winded video, you probably realized that he was teaching his audience somethin' 'bout life as well. Of all people, Steven Paul Jobs!

In the video, he tells three stories in retropection. The first story is about "Joining the Dots". He quotes, "You cannot join the dots looking forward, but when you look backward, it all becomes clear."

I attempted to understand this from what I believe is Steve's defination. Looking forward, you could gauge the consequences or results of an action. You could predict. Nevertheless, as you turn your head to see what happened in the past, all is clear. Hence, I'll never fear the present, and future. I am young. The journey ahead has a long way to go- provided that I live to enjoy a long, ripe age. If I savor every single scenery, every beat of my heart, every moment of my being, I will leave no regrets when it is time to go home.

Ensuing the first story is "Love and Lost". No, Steve doesn't reveal anything about the "one crazy love" during his young age- if he has one. He talks about his unceremonious, public kickout from Apple. I guess, one could say that it was his lifeline at the time. Losing it was devastating, Steve admits. "I'd been rejected, but I was still in love," Steve adds.

As the world has witnessed, he went on to create NeXT and Pixar- one of the most successful animation companies on earth. Besides, he fell in love with "a wonderful woman" who became his wife. She was no other than Laurene Powell. They have a child named Reed Paul. (Steve previously had a daughter named Lisa Brennan-Jobs from a long-ago relationship with Chrisann Brennan, a Bay Area painter.)

The third story tells listeners about "Death". Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. The common knowledge about this fatal disease has always been- sure death. His doctor told him to ready his children about the news. Soon after, the doctor realized that the tumor could be removed through surgery. "I'm fine now," says Steve as the crowd applauded.

"No one wants to die. Everybody wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die to go there." There is a tinge of humor in what Steve said, but the truth rings loud and clear.

A girl I know attempted suicide lately. To protect her privacy, I shall call her Katrina. Like the hurricane, her mood fluctuates irregularly. When her depression hits, it can be destructive. Her wrist was heavily bandaged and she told everyone who asked that it was an accident. They bought her story. I didn't. Because I dotted the lines. She could tell that I was suspicious, so she spilled it before me, hiding only some of the gory details. Nobody should ever end his/her life. There's always a choice, and turning it around depends on one simple decision, in one split second.

I wish Katrina well. Good day to everyone too.