Great Transformation

                Pride is like a perfume. When it is worn, it radiates a sense of self the world reacts to ~ Stevie Wonder

                During my early years, I was always at the top of my game. I was always the winner.  I can beat the others effortlessly. And everyone got used to my victory and looked at me as a victor. All my triumphs and all the people’s praises gave me a feeling of pride and superiority. Everyone wanted to take away my title but they never did. It was great or so I thought.

 I got my friends, a lot of them, but I can’t figure out which ones were true. I got many acquaintances and the other people Who greets me along the way even if I don’t know them. All of my school’s teachers and faculty staff knows me. I got used to the attention given to me until I realized that an extreme pressure was on my shoulders. Even my parents wanted me to exert more effort even if I have always excelled in my studies. Where ever I go people talk about my achievements.  And then a question struck my mind, what if I can’t live with their expectations? Life is never constant, I am the winner today but what if I’ll be the loser tomorrow? What will they say? What will I say?

But during my junior year, my Physics teacher grouped us for our final activity before the school year ends. And for all the things, why group work? I hate group activities. I gave him all the reason why the activity should be performed individually but he never agreed to my objection. Every group has to perform three activities in front of the class. And to my disappointment, my group ranked the last on all of the activities because my entire group took the activity for granted just because I was their group mates. Can you now get my point why I don’t like group works? After the activity, my classmates bullied me. The experience was entirely new for me. The bullying lasted for weeks and I was really depressed and confused.

I asked God, why did He do that? Why did He want me to suffer? Was my service to Him not enough? On my way home, I cannot bear the pain and cried inside the PUV (Public Utility Vehicle). Then A voice inside my head said, why will God not choose you to suffer? He even let His own son be crucified just to save you. And if you did not suffer, you will never stop growing pride which is a great sin. God loves you so much.

Then it hit me. I was very wrong. I was blinded with all of my achievements and grew full of pride. I learned from that lesson. And since then, I have always accepted every problem and challenges as a blessing. Everything happens for a reason. My suffering is my offering