I have realized that one thing I can count on in this life is happiness. It may take longer to understand the importance of finding joy in everything we do despite negative criticism from other people. My name is Wang Lei, and I was born in Beijing in 2001. In my early days, I did not imagine that life may seem to be as it is presently. I have learned to cope up with any situation that may arise. Growing up with a sibling who does not understand you is not a situation that one would like to experience a repeat. Dispute was an order of the day. Parents tried their best to keep us calm, but nothing came out of their efforts. Unlike other families where there were agreements among siblings, ours was a unique one. Peace among the siblings was like a dream that never came true. We had to learn how to cope up with one another the hard way. Since I was young, the suffering was intense on my side as I had to comply with the desires of my brother. When I was six, my dad got a job outside the country, and we were left with mum. Life became more uncomfortable since mom always sidelined with the brother and insisted that I obey him even when I knew that I was right.
A know life began after my dad relocated because of a job. I had to live in an unfavorable environment since there was no one to protect me. Both the mother and the brother did not show me the right direction to follow. Both were bitter with me due to disputes that often occurred between my brother and me; they always believed that I was the initiator of every disagreement. Not even a single day did my mother believed that I was not wrong. Every figure pointed at me whenever chaos erupted in the family. I lost respect for the family members, an issue that fueled my unlawful behaviors both at school and at home. We rarely on issues as a family, not even simple ones like the type of meal for dinner. I remember one day when they bought roasted duck for dinner, but I was against it. It was an easy day, a dispute arose, and we started arguing as I believed that I was not consulted on the issue. Everybody went to bed hungry as there was no appetite after the fight.
It is always said that we should not allow a single attribute to define who we are. I got transferred to high school to an institution where there were students from diverse cultural communities. I started hanging around with friends who got me into trouble like Li Jie, with several problems such as eating in class, bullying other students, and not completing assignments on time. I was heading in the wrong direction but was lucky to realize it before causing serious damage. If it were not for teacher Bao who called me out and threatened to inform my parents about my actions, I believed I would be in prison for a serious criminal offense. He helped me change into a disciplined and responsible person. I changed friends and became a good boy who was passionate about studies. With a new beginning, I was able to perform well in my school. Despite my questionable behavior in my early life, I wanted to become a responsible person and be a role model for other people. I strived much heard to ensure that my academic and social life is worth emulating. A slip is not a fall. Fabbre (2017) postulates that many people tend to change their path and become a different person even after engaging in unlawful acts like me. Since I realized early that my actions would cause me a problem, I had a chance to rectify and become the man that I am now.
I am certain that the course I am perusing will be a path to a better tomorrow. I desire to get employment opportunity after my graduation and live a healthy life. I want to become a valuable person in the society who can be counted on for a specific role. I work hard and dedicate most of my time reading books and articles to gain more knowledge on the course concept so that I can get better grades in the exams. I also plan to further my education up to doctorate level. I plan to stay out of trouble by keeping myself busy and avoid being in the company of the wrong people.
I understand that life is not easy; hardships and challenges are an integral part of life. I did not only cope with an understanding brother but also learned that people are born with different traits. We were born by the same parents yet had characters that are not similar. My high school behavior made many friends, including family members, believe that I am not a good person despite changing my behaviors. Sometimes I wish that I could reverse the situation, but it is impossible. All had happened, and I have to move on with life despite rejections and loneliness. I have to cope up with the situation and find ways of making myself happy. I had to relocate to be peaceful and avoid negative critics in everything I do. I always believe in what I am doing and find joy in fulfilling my desires despite the hard times I have gone through.
I believe that various forces led to my unlawful behavior. Firstly, the lack of an appropriate mentor in my early childhood made me miss the right direction. There was no one to guide me on what is appropriate and what should not be done. My brother only accelerated the situation by triggering conflicts every time, making me lose the value of respect as I was fighting him back despite him being older. Secondly, separation from the father due to employment made me feel some sort of freedom to do whatever I wish, even if it is not appropriate. According to Sharma (2020), getting into the wrong company of friends also contributed to my incorrect behaviors during my high school life. Peer pressure made me do what my friends were doing, even if they were not right.
I lost the trust of my family members and friends. I regret my behaviors during my childhood life, even after changing. I wish everybody would understand me like uncle Wang Wei, who stood by me when no one else wanted to associate with me. At least I have a friend who encourages me to stay happy despite the challenges and hardships that I go through. I devoted myself to do anything that makes me happy without considering what other people may be thinking. I realized that I live for myself, and I only need to give myself joy. No one owes me in life; I need to work hard so that my children would be raised in a way that they do not feel rejection and get someone that they count on as a mentor. Despite what we go through, there is always a reason to smile. We need to press on for a better tomorrow.