In this world which can get terribly ugly at times, the type of person I pity the most is the one who cannot stand up to others and fight for what he/she believes in.

I am not afraid to say that I grew up thinking that in order to promote goodwill and the acceptance of everyone, one must never cross anyone...even if you do not agree with what they have to say.  Oftentimes, I found myself living by this belief intimately that I fear crossing the meanest, the bulliest of the bullies, the shallow and the insensitive ones because I did not want to make them feel that I think differently.  I did not want to make them feel that they are wrong and that I am right.  I wanted acceptance.  I was Ms. Congeniality.  I was everyone's friend.  My greatest fear was to have an enemy/someone who dislikes me/someone who does not consider me a friend/someone who considers me a rebel or someone who does not agree with the norm.

The reason why I grew up believing in this for the longest time was due to the fact that I was raised in a very safe environment.  I never knew that hypocrisy actually existed.  I never thought that betrayal can be done to you by people you trust your life with.  I never knew that the real world was harsh.  I thought that everything was gonna spring up like daisies, that everyone will keep smiling and live happy lives forever and ever.  I was wrong. 

But now, amidst all the tears, the drama, the heartbreaks and the pain I went through, I am ultimately grateful.  I am grateful that life has taught me how it really works. 

Today, I am blissful that I've made decisions in my life which did not necessarily made everyone happy.  I do not live my life to make you happy.

Today, I am glad that some people hate my guts.  It's one of the truest signs that at one point or at some points in my life, I stood up for what I believe is important...for what I believe is right.  And up to this point, I have never regretted anything I stood up for. 

Today, I am proud that I've had the courage not to care about what the rest of the world has to say about the things that I do in my life.  I am blessed with everything that I need and I do not need someone's opinion as to how I should do or decide on things.

Today, I am grateful that the kind of people I'm surrounded with are the ones who choose to see beyond my idiosyncrasies.  The ones who love me no matter what I have to offer and moreso, even if I have nothing to offer them.

I am eternally grateful. 

When we're all old and gray, the only things that will be left are the things that matter.  Everything and everyone around you right now will disappear one by one. 

As early as now, we have to learn to value the important things and people in our lives so that our future will be secure.  Learn to stand up on your own feet.  Learn to fight for what you think is right, and learn not to sway with the crowd.

At the dawn of our lives, being the most popular will not matter.  What matters is the fact that you were courageous enough to live life the way you wanted to.

This is for FabPoT...I will hold you guys in my heart for eternity.  Being friends and family with you will always be one of the bestest decisions I've ever fought for in my life.  And I know deep in my heart, that even if I'm old and gray, we'd all still have our get togethers.  Our children and grandchildren will be friends and we will be ever present in the most important events in our lives. 

Kakers