Lanto, Danarose T.
BSA13
REFLECTION IN REED
I was raised in a middle-income family. I was provided with what I need---food, shelter
clothes, education and other necessary things for living. However, it is not the kind of family where
I can get what I want. My parents would always explain to me that there are more important things
to settle. So, I work hard for the things that I want and never asked for those from my parents.
There are times that I think, “What if I’m raised in another family?”. I always wonder if
that would be better. Deep inside me, I envy people who has the material things that my parents
cannot give me. I never felt contentment because I always think that everything is not enough.
Hence, I hated the world for being unfair. I hated my family for making me live like this. And, I
hated God for blessing others with things I prayed for.
That was before. When I watched the video named “Zamboanga del Norte students trek
dangerous mountain trail to school” featured by KMJS, I remembered how and why I became the
appreciative person that I am now. In the video, students are trekking in a steep mountain just to
go to school. They are doing that every day. There is an easy way through habal-habal but, it costs
Php 50 per person. With the mother having a salary of Php800 a month and bringing 3 students to
school, it is expensive for them. Despite of the danger and struggles of going to school, they still
do because they value education a lot. That perspective is the same perspective of the little boy in
Quezon who changed the way I see things in life.
I met an 8-year-old boy in an outreach program in Quezon. He was one of our recipients. I
was able to play and talk to him. He told me his experiences in the forest; how happy he was while
playing with his dog; and how grateful he was for receiving a book which we were giving at that
time. With that, I realized life is simple. I just made it complicated by being eager of things I cannot
get. I was not happy because I chose not to be contented. Also, I realized I am too blessed. I am
blessed with life, family, friends and being able to study. There is a lot to thank God for.
Indeed, the boy that I met and the video that I watched in REED are somehow related for
me. Those are both reminders for me to continue being appreciative with the small things in life.
Big or small, all things are blessings from God. After watching the video, I made a few realizations.
First, I realized the world is not just unfair to me, rather, it is unfair to all. We cannot get all we
want. Second, it made me understand my parents for teaching me discipline and for not spoiling
me. The world is a difficult world to live in, thus, I should learn to work hard for the things that I
want. Third, education is important. There are a lot of people struggling just to have an education.
That is why I should study well and not take it for granted. Lastly, there are a lot of people in need.
And as someone who is abundantly blessed, I should learn how to share and give back.
Although I am still a student, I believe I can make a change and help people. The outreach
activity of De La Salle University Dasmarinas called “Handog Tulong Ko, Dunong Mo” will be
distributing school supplies for pubic students. Through participating in this gift-giving and
sharing, I can help people. It may be a small act. However, I firmly believe that small act makes a
big difference. Every good act matters. Also, as a Lasallian, I should live the life and mission of
St. John Baptist de La Salle. One of the Lasallian core values is zeal for service. Through gift-
giving, I realized I can make a service especially for the poor and the vulnerable.