trace* - journey of an adventurer and soldier

86,400 seconds a day. how many of it have you used to smile, laugh or say thanks? as i reflect on my daily life, it seems that i spend less than 1% of my day being cheery and grateful. it's one thing to be optimistic, but another to be really truely happy. somehow, i've learnt that gratefulness leads to happiness. being contented with what you have translates to happiness. no? previously, i did not agree that contentment = happiness. because if you are easily contented, then you have no aspirations and expectations to reach greater heights. but now, i've realised that a fine balance between contentment and expectations is the most ideal and realistic.

i'm contented with all i have, for the family background i'm born into, i wouldn't have achieved what i wanted today if i was born in another social background or condition. inequality exists in the world, and if you seek justice and fairness, what's just and fair to you may be completely contrasted with another's perspective.

the friends i have, be they my best buddies or hi-bye friends, somehow our paths crossed and it's meant to be fated this way then. i've always daydreamed what will happen if i attended another school, joined another cca or happened to be at a particular place at a certain time, i would be much happier. i wouldn't turn back time and change anything, because at one point in time, it was exactly what i wanted, even if things may not turn out the way you want. this is called life, adapting to what it throws at you. fate meant that we crossed our paths, but it's a mutual choice that if we're friends or more than that. again, it's about the fine balance, one-sidedness in friendship or relationship isn't realistic at all. you give some and you receive some.

and really, i do agree with the adage "time heals all wounds". at another point in time, you will realise that certain things are enlarged out of proportions and too much effort and emotions were put into the matters. i am grateful that certain things happened and it will prepare myself for facing even harder obstacles in life. come what may, i will survive eventually. smiles always! :)