bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

Being the best does not ensure success
People are very competitive. We obsess about things such as who gets the highest marks  or who gets the most praise from our teachers.
It has become a race, but we don't need external approval to succeed. We should focus less on needing to be the best and concentrate more on accepting that we do the best we can.
Being successful is also not a matter of getting everything we want because we wouldn't be happy even if we did have it all.
Success is a matter of getting what we need.
Being successful is just like filling a box. Hard work will get you there but so will choosing a smaller box.
Cherry Wong Ka-ying, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College
A materialistic world
I am writing in reply to the  letter 'Your inner worth' (Young Post, July 4).
We live in a media-driven world where  people  are immersed in materialism. Advertisements in the  media persuade us  to compare ourselves to others.  But this only fuels envy and makes us want more, especially when it comes to brand-name products.
I know teens who spend most of their  pocket money on fashion and accessories. They build their self-worth on their belongings. Some even look down on those who are less well-off. As a teenager, I understand most of us feel insecure. But please bear in mind that a person's self-worth is not built upon his wealth.
A realistic person understands that it is best to gain satisfaction from helping others. A wise person fights for the good of others.
Should we really spend so much time thinking about what to buy just so that we look good to our peers?
Adrian
No time like the present to snap it up
Life is short and we never know what's going to happen next. To make sure we capture precious memories, we should take more  photos.
Photos are a great way of reminding us of the more important events in our life, like our graduation or wedding.
Looking at photos makes us feel happy. I love looking at photos of myself when I was  a child.
Let's take more photos and record our happy times in a  picture.
She Chin-ching, Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College
Volunteering is not  a waste of time
I recently overheard some people saying that being a volunteer was a waste of time. I totally disagree.
Now that I am in Form Six,  I've realised time is valuable. There is so much to do, like homework and revising. But despite our busy lives, I think we should make time for volunteer work.
I think it is our social responsibility to do so. Society gives us so much and we should give something back if we can.  Being a volunteer can teach you a lot. It doesn't matter who you help, you will always get something out of it.
Last summer, I volunteered to work with children.  I learned to look after them and play with them.  I also visited a home for the elderly, which taught me  a lot.
Being  a volunteer teaches you to communicate with others, allowing you to feel more confident in everyday life.
No matter how busy you are, make some time to help others; you will enjoy it.
You will also  gain invaluable experiences that will serve you well throughout your life.
Tommy Lui, TWGHs Lui Yun Choy Memorial College
Take a risk and  have an adventure
I think people who climb mountains or canoe down the Amazon are extremely brave.
Going on an expedition can be exciting but also dangerous because you never know what will happen during the trip.
There are just too many things that are beyond our control.
But despite being dangerous, going on an expedition with friends must be really fun.
It gives you the chance to embrace the elements and learn about yourself at the same time.
Lau Po-yu
Know your politics
Teenagers in Hong Kong have long being criticised for being indifferent to the politics of our city. Very few will ever comment on what is going on, not even when the policies in question will affect them.
In the long term, I think there is going to be a  serious shortage of political talent.
The government must do more to get teenagers involved in  political affairs,  either through the school curriculum or by  organising essay  competitions.
Tracy Lai, Leung Shek Chee College
A coffee a day may be good for you
Despite being told by doctors that drinking coffee is bad for us, many people would not be able to function without its uplifting properties.
Coffee has been  blamed for heart palpitations, stress and migraines.  Furthermore, if drunk by pregnant women, coffee can result in their baby's low birth weight or even miscarriage.  And it can  reduce fertility.
But for those who enjoy drinking coffee, there are some benefits other than the increased energy, greater mental alertness and improved short-term memory.
Doctors have found that regularly drinking coffee reduces the risk  of developing gallstones and can reduce the risk of type II diabetes. Also, coffee drinkers are  half as likely to develop liver cancer as  non-drinkers.
So even though there is such bad press when it comes to drinking coffee, the news is not all bad.
Elaine Kwong Yi-lee, Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College



letters