Yesterday, I went window shopping at KLCC. I grew tired and sat at a bench. A young lad found an empty seat beside me and decided to join the crowd. Amazingly, this guy change my thought to begin this auspicious year.
He struck up a friendly conversation with me. Dressed smartly in suit and leather shoes, I can hardly imagine he dropped out of school at the age of 15. Good-looking and very honest, he poured out his family histories to me. Shocked, I hesitated at first, and kept myself prepared for the worst. I thought to myself, listening won't bring me any harm. I decided that once he sells his products to me, I'll excuse myself to the loo!
Barely 20, so young but very wise and thoughtful in his choice of words. I studied his expression and body language as he carried on with his adventure embracing life the big city. He was well composed, eager, jolly and extremely positive.
He relate his worst scenarios in the city. His wallet was snatched away on the first day he set foot in Kuala Lumpur. He did not seem angry, but seem to be more keen to share his stories. That incident was mild to him as he had greater things to bear in life. He learned to let bygones be bygones and continue to live life as this is the real reality.
His salary is merely RM800 due to his lack of academic approach. Curious, I asked why he is willing to spend 3/4 of his salary living in the city rather than his hometown? The standard of living is different in the urban and rural areas, and once you've accustomed to life to the city, it has become a norm to you, he said. "I even gave RM500 to my mum too!"
He's young and energized, and believe that he has to work to earn a living. He can't continue depending on his father's business for life. And he wanted to come experience what is painful in life and live with no regrets. I was taken aback, as those came from a thoughtful mind of a teenager.
He asked whether I had experienced penniless days, and I said no. He told me that he once watched a bus traveling back to his hometown pass him by. It is not that he doesn't want to go home, but, his pockets are empty. He reminded me that poor people are willing to spend and are more generous because they know what it feels being poor.
What I learned from the 19 year old?
When we thought the world is hopeless and frail, it is not up to us to judge.
He struck up a friendly conversation with me. Dressed smartly in suit and leather shoes, I can hardly imagine he dropped out of school at the age of 15. Good-looking and very honest, he poured out his family histories to me. Shocked, I hesitated at first, and kept myself prepared for the worst. I thought to myself, listening won't bring me any harm. I decided that once he sells his products to me, I'll excuse myself to the loo!
Barely 20, so young but very wise and thoughtful in his choice of words. I studied his expression and body language as he carried on with his adventure embracing life the big city. He was well composed, eager, jolly and extremely positive.
He relate his worst scenarios in the city. His wallet was snatched away on the first day he set foot in Kuala Lumpur. He did not seem angry, but seem to be more keen to share his stories. That incident was mild to him as he had greater things to bear in life. He learned to let bygones be bygones and continue to live life as this is the real reality.
His salary is merely RM800 due to his lack of academic approach. Curious, I asked why he is willing to spend 3/4 of his salary living in the city rather than his hometown? The standard of living is different in the urban and rural areas, and once you've accustomed to life to the city, it has become a norm to you, he said. "I even gave RM500 to my mum too!"
This young man really does not seem to mind. He did not portray innocent or clueless young minds like any other teenagers. He knows what he wants in life and what life can give to him. He realizes he's capable to battle, only at certain arena of work. Impressively, he is willing to go the distance not to prove to others he can do it, but to make sense out of living.
He's young and energized, and believe that he has to work to earn a living. He can't continue depending on his father's business for life. And he wanted to come experience what is painful in life and live with no regrets. I was taken aback, as those came from a thoughtful mind of a teenager.
He asked whether I had experienced penniless days, and I said no. He told me that he once watched a bus traveling back to his hometown pass him by. It is not that he doesn't want to go home, but, his pockets are empty. He reminded me that poor people are willing to spend and are more generous because they know what it feels being poor.
He left a phrase for me that day, "Everyday, we encounter possibilities and for sure, nothing is certain until it is proven so."
He's just not the ordinary teen that I met everyday. He had views of a 50 year old and wisdom of a 30 year old.
At the end of yesterday, as I found myself rocking on a bench waiting for commuter, I felt so blessed that I had the chance to pursue my passion and dreams. I realize I have the opportunity to choose. I have different paths to take and all, I believe will have a bright future ahead.
He's just not the ordinary teen that I met everyday. He had views of a 50 year old and wisdom of a 30 year old.
At the end of yesterday, as I found myself rocking on a bench waiting for commuter, I felt so blessed that I had the chance to pursue my passion and dreams. I realize I have the opportunity to choose. I have different paths to take and all, I believe will have a bright future ahead.
What I learned from the 19 year old?
When we thought the world is hopeless and frail, it is not up to us to judge.
2 comments:
betul.....kadang kadang kiter lupa untuk bersyukur dengan apa yang kiter dah dapat....kan???kan??
teng how ur life now????bagus kaa????
betul dr syahar!
i'm glad to see you here. thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
i'm presently doing good. tengah goyang kaki. haha...
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