Making the Right Choice

Making the right choice is really a tough job. Every day we are confronted by options which at times are difficult to choose. Even at a young age, we were trained to choose which toys to buy, clothes to wear, food to eat, movies to watch and the like. Later on as we grew up, we were beset with much more difficult choices like which course program to take, which activities to prioritize, and even which friends to choose. Yet, despite the fact that choosing has become a part of our daily life, we are still at times baffled on which course of action to take. But there can be one secret to making a tough decision, and that is, weighing the possible consequences of our choice considering how it can impact our future.

Let me share with you a true to life story of an Australian boy who made the right choice in his life. His name is Nick and he was born without limbs. . As a young boy, his parents sent him to a regular school. During that time mainstreaming was already passed into law in which children with disabilities could be immersed in a regular school set up. However, in his first few weeks of schooling, Nick was bullied by his classmates. Out of depression, he attempted suicide. At that time, his mother showed him a newspaper that featured children with disabilities. And that became a turning point in his life. Nick turned into a happy boy full of hopes and dreams for he realized that he was not the only one in this world with disabilities. He persevered in his studies despite his physical handicap. Later on, he finished a bachelor’s degree, with double major – Accounting and Financial Management. At present, Nick has become a very inspiring speaker who has travelled in 12 different countries giving hope to the handicapped, the disabled. Nick made the right choice. He is now a self-reliant and successful man, instrumental in making a difference in the lives of others.

Yes, it had never been smooth sailing for Nick. In fact, it was kind of a roller coaster ride, having a lot of bumps along the way, considering his physical condition. Yet, he was able to endure all the trials and emerged triumphant in the end. I truly admire this guy for his strength and faith. What I pity now are those teenagers with no physical deformities, yet care less for their future. They take their studies for granted, trying all possible short cuts to get over their academic requirements. Little do they know that this seemingly tedious way of learning academic disciplines can be their tool for survival in the real world.

Some students quit schooling having this thought that it’s hard to study and they can no longer endure the pains of doing school stuff. Let me share this interesting story to inspire you not to give up your college education so easily. One time I was riding a jeepney and a woman with two kids greeted me, “Ms. Cequena, I’m Nica (not her real name), your former student, kumusta na po?”

“I’m fine,” I replied. “How about you? “ I asked.

“Heto po married na, with two kids.”

During our conversation, she asked me where I stayed and I told her my address. Then, a week after, I was surprised because she visited me in my sister’s house, borrowing some money for her baby’s milk. I found out that she was not able to finish college and her husband was a tricycle driver. To my mind, had she finished a degree and landed a good job, she would not have come to our place, braving her shame just to feed her baby.

Now that one academic year is again over. While some of you students may be enjoying the heat of the sun as you bask on the beach’s white sand, let this time of rest make you contemplate on what kind of life do you want to have in the future. And for most of you who just stay home with your families this summer vacation, do reflect too on the kind of life that you envision for yourself in the future, then start doing an action plan on how your dream life can be made into reality. Do you want to live in poverty just like my former student Nica? Make the right choice now and start weaving your future.