{PAMPERED INDULGENCE

So I was walking home today, made a turn to my kindergarden out of boredom, and saw a class of kids lining up at the parade square. The teacher asked the kids to stand in 3 rows and get ready for a game they were about to play. The kids, who were around 3-4 years old, seemed pretty excited and hyped up. They were giggling as they fidgeted in their positions, as though they couldn’t wait for the game to start. I saw genuine happiness sparkling from their eyes as they screamed and shouted during the game. 

As I slowed down to immerse in this happy moment a little longer, I noticed there was a group of kids who were really enthusiastic and another group which consisted of the more laid back kids.  Back then when I was young, I belonged to the latter group. I didn’t enjoy my childhood as much as I should have. I always wished that I could grow up, choose my own dresses, go out with my friends…

Here I am, grown up and being able to do all the things I wished I could as a kid, yet hoping I could turn back the hands of time and go back to the times when I was young. Everything was so simple. There was no jealousy, no ambitions, no stress, no relationships… I felt contented to be with my mum and dad, even if it was just a simple meal/a walk in the park/a trip down to the supermarket/receiving a new pencil/getting snacks/watching a tv show/bus ride with my mum, etc etc. But what are these simple things to us now? We always want to eat in restaurants, are too lazy to go grocery shopping… and only receiving material goods much more expensive than a pencil can amount to the same degree of happiness. (I’m not saying this is wrong, because it’s part and parcel of growing up in this society.) 

I think people are always unhappy as they tend to focus on what they can’t do and can’t have at the moment, forgetting what they in fact do have. One day, they are going to lose whatever wonderful things they have now and regret not cherishing these things. No matter what problems you’re facing, or how unhappy you are with your life right now, learn to make the best out of it and enjoy it as much as possible. Because, someday, you’re gna hope you can come back to the present. 

I’m going to start enjoying each and every day of my life now and learn to feel contented. Because I know someday in the future, I’m going to reminisce about my life now. 

“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” -Bil Keane