There are seven billion people here on Earth. There are seven billion futures and fates. There are seven billion people who had already made big decisions.

                Seven billion, a big number, which makes me, wonder how much of an impact we, mere human individuals, make to our families, friends, and to the different communities we belong in.

                The statement that I just said seems to be a little peculiar for somebody as young as me, a typical twelve year old kid who wonders and contemplates about life. At this young age, I already have dreams, and of course, goals, which would serve as my guide or ladder towards becoming successful.

                What are these goals?

                First of all, I have goals for my family, who has always been there by my side, supporting me, and uplifting my spirit. My family always made sure that I would live on a house, with food, with clothing, and receive quality education.  With this, I want to repay them and make them happy. I want to go to other places within the country, or maybe out of the country. I want to go on a tour with them and have a relaxation time. Thus, I want to be in charge of them and maybe pay all the bills during the trip.

                My goal for my education is to graduate at a Catholic School like NDDU (where I have been enrolled/ studying at since I was in nursery), UST, or Ateneo, with honors and have good job opportunities after I graduate. I also want to take entrance examinations and pass at Ivy League schools like Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Brown, and Princeton. Thus, I really want to be a successful lawyer or doctor someday. I really just want to try because there obviously is nothing wrong with having high hopes, dreams, and goals, right?

                For my friends, I want them to be successful, kind, and loyal. I don’t want them to fight against each other anymore because for the past few months, they’ve had big misunderstandings which caused them not to talk to each other for quite a while now. I also want them to achieve whatever they want to achieve someday.

                I want my community to be successful and solve problems striking it nowadays like bullying, racism, sexism, and other things alike.  These problems are the reasons why I want to be a good lawyer someday. I want to solve injustices and free the innocent people.

                I believe that there is a big possibility that I’ll achieve all these dreams of mine. I just have to remember three things:  I should be loyal, wise, and have a strong faith in God. I can really achieve these goals.

                “She’ll turn her cant’s into can’s and her dreams into plans.” 

PESSIMISM. CARELESSNESS. NEGATIVITY
Smiles into Fears and Laughs into Tears

                Another year has come. Another year has made its debut in our lives. Mark the words ‘new’ and ‘another’. We are down to a new year with new chapters and new choices. We have an option to turn into the right or the wrong side, be better or be worse, and be good or bad. Right now, we have another chance to start fresh and leave things behind.

                The year 2015 has been good to me. However, I want to leave some stuff in that year and not carry it along with me this year. When I looked at the mirror, I used to only see pessimism, carelessness, infinite sarcasm, and all those negative vibes that hit me right on the face. The mirror brought me down, made me cry, and made me want to give up. It made my smiles into fears and my laughs into tears.  It made massive destruction which caused me unending life reconstruction.

                With all of these, I want to start the year right. I want to be a whole new human being that shows optimism, carefulness, and politeness. I will use all the judgments that I’ve received in 2015 so that I can be a better person to whom everybody will love in 2016. I’ll open my doors for new things, new places, new persons, criticisms, and new opportunities. I’ll forget the past, unpleasant habits, and hurtful memories. Then, at the end of the year, I’ll see a new and improved me who cannot be dragged down. I will surely leave behind the mirror’s bad side.