LAST December, our high school batch had a mini reunion.

        After 20 years, it was great to see everyone again, but this time more mature and serious about life. Everyone has his own stories to tell and no matter how short, time was for us to finish the teary conversations, it all boiled down to, not one of us ever imagined, life is gonna be this much after high school.

THE AUTHOR

        So I reckon….

        CHILDREN of nowadays, be very thankful that you have parents who support and try to give you what life has to offer. Most of them probably did not have what you have now. Learn from what your teachers are teaching you. Improve and practice the skills- read, write, speak and count well. Enhance your talents. Life has no guarantee that you will be successful in your field. How many bright people have failed, how many street smarts have become successful. But those with education and are more equipped definitely have the edge. You can be rich now and lose all, the same way that you can be poor now and be rich tomorrow. Fate does play a role but you have a choice and a chance to better yourself.

        Don’t rush love, for there are plenty along the way. Choose your friends, enjoy and stay clean. Stay away from drugs. Abuse of them has never done anyone any good. It will only destroy if not kill you.

        Keep your values intact. Have fear in God. Respect everyone, young or old. Value your families. Be honest, faithful and true. Be strong and be very prepared. Life after school is not easy. Someday, you will know that even though you have already done your best, still it will not be good enough. But don’t be afraid to dream or even fail…In failure you learn much. There is no shortcut to success. It is hard work. Don’t let material things define you. What good is it to sit on gold yet your soul burns in hell.

        There are so many things we still don’t know and will never know. Learning is a continuous process.

        TEACHERS, please teach well, be concerned about your students not about your pay or your retirement. We can never retrieve lost times… We should do away from so many home works that we also never check or discuss in school. We should give more meaningful discussions and experiences that have lasting importance and value. Let’s forget too many memory works that never work…Let’s be generous with praises and selfish with criticisms… There are too many things to be done. We must do something for these children until such time they are ready to sore high yet still remain grounded.

        PARENTS, continue to love and support your children. Know when to hold and let go. Let them be what God wants them to be. Explain to them the lasting value of education not just cope with the school situation. Don’t mold them to be like you. Don’t force them to lead the life that you have. They are unique. They are not extensions of your failed dreams or success.

        I was once a child, now a mother. I was once a student now a teacher. I may not be the best in this field but my passion and dedication to teach will make a difference one way or another. I am not perfect but everyday I am in progress. My share of life is hard. I don’t think I would have made it even halfway, if I didn’t have the love and support from my family, friends and teachers.

        My unsolicited advice is not new, you might have even heard it many times before but someone has to say it again…for younger people need to speak their mind and older people, with due respect, need to be told sometimes….