XVI. FAMILY FACES ARE MAGIC MIRRORS

          SUCCESS can be viewed in two ways - how others see us and how we see ourselves. Family faces - that of our parents, brothers and sisters, and relatives provides us with a magic mirrors, looking at this people who belong to us, we see the past, the present, and the future. Their gaze gives us a clue of how we are to them, someone to be proud of or someone who drags down the family's pride. From their eyes you'll see how you rate up to their standards. Sometimes things just don't happen the way we wanted things to become and no amount of explanation will suffice for they will only see the things they wanted to see.

       This is when you have to decide, whether to try it their way and receive the harsh words and cold shoulder treatment when you fail to live up to their expectations, or whether to live the way you wanted to live.  Sometimes you really have to learn things the hard way ... that of living the real life you wanted even if it means you have to cut some ties.  There is nothing wrong with pursuing their dreams but once you see that you are not really cut out for it you will never get the kind of satisfaction, the real feel of having a life, and the real joy of love and loving.

       I have done my part, tried to reach out, but the hope that things would one day clear out the misunderstanding have faded and it would be more convenient for all of us to move on and live our own separate lives. The upside of it is that I could have the chance to wipe clean the past and start on a clean slate for my kids. With better understanding and better education they could begin with themselves and avoid the mistakes we made and live a more harmonious life.