Learn to accept things you don't like

Sometimes, we have to accept things we don't like. At school, we have no choice. And when we grow up, not everyone is lucky enough to land their dream job. We soon realise that we can't have everything we want. So, we need to be more mature, and accept that things won't always go our way.

When we were children, our parents would give us many things to make us happy. But, as we become older, we have to change our attitude.

For example, if we have to go to a school we don't like, we shouldn't complain. We should try to make the best out of the opportunity. Then only can we enjoy life and studies.

Some people quit their jobs simply because they don't like the work. But if they are mature enough, they should realise that they cannot have everything they want.

This society is not a wonderland; it's an interactive community. One decision can ruin lots of things. If people only want to do the things they like, it can be a bad influence on their lives.

So grow up and try to accept the rules of this world.

Isaac Ho, Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School

From the Editor

Thank you for your letter, Isaac. People often struggle to pursue happiness, as if it were a rabbit to be hunted, grabbed and then put away. What they don't realise is that happiness is not 'out there'. It is inside us. If we refuse to accept something that will not change, the only person we hurt is ourselves.

Accepting a situation frees us to move on with our lives. There is a very good prayer known as The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr which sums it up: 'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.'

Susan, Editor