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.