After three years, it all made sense now.
Finally, it was the day all casted votes shall be counted. My sister ran for the Treasurer position at the A.Y. 2016 – 2017 Student Council elections.
The votes were tallied and my sister received the unfortunate news. She fell short against her opponent with just five votes. My 17-year-old sister was devastated and could officially wear Stephen Curry’s jersey. She came home teary-eyed that day, found me in the kitchen; and I opened my arms wider than our refrigerator door. I hugged her like when I hug my bag when taking the public transportation.
I could have told her to stop crying over the spilled milk, but I knew better. There is no way around rejection, it has to be faced head-on. I know how no wise words could stop the bleeding. So, I just quietly hugged her as tight as I could.
We stood there at the kitchen for a couple of minutes until she let go. In that brief moment, I realized a purpose given to me three years ago.
Back in 2013, I applied to become an editor of our university’s student publication. I did not get the position and to make things worse, I already expected to bring home the bacon. To date, that is still the most painful setback in my life. I lost my confidence, burned bridges, and stopped writing. Nobody could have saved me from that hard fall; it was only rejection that met me down the pit. Every day I kept on asking, why me?
I worked hard to move on from that blackhole city. I repeatedly told myself, “Things happen for a reason.” But honestly, I hardly believed those words. I just took it as a mantra in order to maintain a positive outlook in life. You know what they say, fake it until you make it. Those words became my stairway to where I am right now.
That mantra never made as much sense as when I stood there comforting my sister. If our hugging moment at the kitchen was a theater show, a spotlight would have focused on me as I realized a purpose in my life. For the first time in three years, I am thankful I was rejected to become an editor. Because if I did not had to face that battle, I will not be able to stand by my sister and be her light and keeper. I now know why it was I.
Time unfolded how things do actually happen for a reason. Sometimes, that reason comes quite a little late in our lives but enlightenment definitely always arrives. Yes, it’s better late than never. Whatever weather we are currently braving, we have to continue having faith that everything will eventually fall into place.
I believe our deepest desires are always answered by our respective gods, in any which religion we belong. But answers are not always green lights because all gods know better than what we ask for. I was taught that there are three types of answers:
- Yes, your desire will be given right here, right now.
- Wait, not now. Your desire is your destiny but it will be provided at a perfect time.
- No, your desire is not for you. Because something bigger and better is about to come.
In a way or another, we are and will be always provided with the best things in life. Just keep the faith, never let it leave you. Wear it like an armor.
Me 