This is my entry for @Eirolfeam2's 1 dollar question giveaway. If you want to join this giveaway, please check her post HERE to learn more about it.
So, for this giveaway, the question is, What does "SUCCESS" mean to you?
For many, success means one who has achieved his greatest desire in life. It can be that he is living in his dream house, buy his ideal (or probably, the most expensive) car, be the boss of his very own company, holds thousands to millions of dollars, and so much more.
But for me, success isn't just about the things you have earned, but it is more about the lessons you learned during your journey. It is something no money can buy.
So, let me just tell you a short story...
I remember when dad used to tell me, "I won't let you study in Cebu (one of the biggest cities in the Philippines) because it is too risky for you." Risky in the sense that I was born with a disability, and Cebu, back then, was known for killings here and there. So, he let me study in their province in Negros Oriental instead, to avoid the option of going to Cebu.
Fast forward, dad passed away when I was 20. A year or two after that, my sister asked me to go to Cebu to attend to his newborn baby, the first nephew in the family. And another year after that, I managed to get a job in a BPO company. No, not as a customer service representative, but as a data entry operator, a non-voice job.
Being an employee with a disability in a big city was never easy. It was so darn terrifying for me. The daily transportation, the crowded places, the fear of being snatched, or the possibility of being a hit-and-run victim; these were my biggest fears and my struggles back then. But I was able to surpass all of these. Not because I need to, but because I had to. Although I don't need to go through any of this. However, I decided to experience all the hardships because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this on my own even if people doubted me and mocked me.
Yes, I survived city life, but did my job give me the life everyone has ever dreamed of? No, but it gave me the courage to face the real world despite my fears, and that is what success means to me. It did not give me the life I wanted, but it gave me the lessons, experience, and people I met along the way that I will forever be grateful for.
And that's all. Thank you.
By the way................
This will also be my entry to @Macronald's sponsorship. If you guys want to be sponsored by him, please do check his post HERE. Hurry up before it's too late!
And my entry for @Mj123's Post your best article and earn upvotes.
PS: I hope this article will be qualified for @Macronald's and @Mj123's sponsorship and upvote promo. I know I'm only using 1 article for the 3 events, but I just don't have much time to write 1 article per author coz I also have another article writing job here. So, I hope this will be okay.
Before I end this post, I would like to thank @Dolores for this awesome and super cute banner. If you guys want something like this, please do subscribe to her page to get more updates. I bet you know her, but if you don't, then now is the time to know her more.
**Used Unsplash for the lead image.
Life is difficult and really unfair but you're so brave enough to face those challenges in life. 💖