There are things that you will never be able to control in this world, people you will never understand, opportunities you will never get, and stories you will never hear. These are just some of the infinite things we are missing out on every single day. I say: Let it be.
A friend may have betrayed me; it is so I can learn to forgive. I may have failed a test; I then learn to reap what I sow. Think about it: A father may have left his son. Someday, the son will be a great father. A man may have been diagnosed of a sickness. It is so he can appreciate life and live every day like his last. You may have a coffee stain on your teeth right now. So what? At least you made your friend laugh. Let it be.
You may have suffered from a broken heart and will still do in the future. And that is okay. It is so you can learn to pick yourself up when you thought you’d never get to move on. Most importantly, it is so you can leave space for a better person to come along. Let it be.
At some point, someone will be against you and will make you doubt yourself. This will mold you to become a better person. And whatever the circumstance, you will never please everyone. Let it be.
There will be a time when your efforts will be unnoticed. And yes, it sucks. And you will cry out of exasperation. You may even give up. At least it will push you to the limit and egg you to fight for what is rightfully yours. And you will find it, as long as you do not give up on yourself. Failure will not define you as a person. What will define you is how you pick yourself up after failing. Let it be.
Someday, your loved ones will pass away. Instead of being angry that they are gone, be thankful that they have been a part of your life. Remember the things that they taught you and appreciate the fact that God lent them to you. Remind yourself that life is too short to waste. Let it be.
Then you will grow old, and will lose significance in society. Your children will be busy with their own families. Then you will realize how much you took your own parents for granted. Now that you’re no longer busy with your career, your kids, or your money, remember the times when your parents selflessly cared for you. Yes, this is the cycle of life. Let it be.
And one day, you will pass on. You will leave your loved ones dwelling in yesterday’s laughter. Then they will understand how life works. With life’s twists and turns and ups and downs, in truth we all fall in the same pattern. The good things that people did in their lifetime are all that will be left. And while you look down on Earth and see how connected all our lives are, you will nod and smile because finally you will see that everything happened for a reason.
Let it be.
Catherine Leigh Tan Kohchet-Chua, 18, is studying advertising management at De La Salle University. She is president of the Adcreate Society, the official home organization of advertising management majors at DLSU.