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SCMP Reporter

Learn to be content with your life

Are you content with your life? If not, why not?

Many people are not content with their lives because  they don't have money, love, a nice family, etc.  They think they are the poorest people in the world.

But they should compare themselves with other  people who are far worse off.  Some people  are born without hands or  feet.

Some  lose their families and friends  in horrible accidents.  Some are suffering from serious diseases.

There is always someone worse off than you.

So why are so many people so unhappy? I think it's easier to be unhappy than happy.

They always think they should have even more than they do.

But if you can see, hear  and walk, you should count your blessings. Think about someone like Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf, but lived a contented, successful life. We could learn a lot from her.

Why not appreciate what you have, and learn to be content?

Tsang Wai-yin

Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Be green for the environment's sake

'Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis' was  set up by US Vice-President Al Gore  to raise people's awareness of the seriousness of climate change.

Many well-known artists such as Madonna, the Pussycat Dolls and the Black Eyed Peas  showed their support by performing.

I  watched the show on TV and  was really happy to see  so many people from different countries  supporting this meaningful event to save our Earth.

I hope that they really  were interested in saving the planet  and not just enjoying  seeing their favourite artists perform.

Another recent environmental effort is the  brand-name cloth bag  with the slogan 'I'm not a plastic bag'.

But people are only buying it because a famous designer made it. I haven't seen anyone use it for shopping yet. This upsets me.

We all need to make an effort to protect the planet.

Grace Fung

TWGHs Lui Yun Choy Memorial College

Queen's Pier grabs our attention

The demolition of Queen's Pier has been a major news item recently.  The news has caused curious schoolchildren, nostalgic elderly people and angry anti-demolition  supporters to flock to the pier to take  photos before the government takes action.

Personally, I have a  neutral attitude towards  the news. The  pier represents  Hong Kong's history. This history is full of both good and bad memories.

But there are many other places in Hong Kong that mark the city's history.

If the pier  is demolished,  the area will be used for 10 million square feet of commercial and office space. It  would give the government  a lot of  money.

There are pros and  cons  to the demolition of Queen's Pier.  But whatever the result, I hope something is decided soon, because it has been in the news for too long.

I hope the government can one day  work out a better balance between preserving history and land development.  We have a  responsibility to  protect our history  as well as developing as a city.

Maggie Wu Pui-kwan

Leung Shek Chee College

We all need friends

Everyone  needs friends.  If you had no friends, or  were betrayed by  a friend,  would be upset.

If you want to have  a lot of good friends, you must be a good friend  to others. But how can we  do this?

Being a good friend means being honest. Nobody wants to be friends with someone who lies to them.

It is important to be there when your friends need help. But it is also important that friends do not become dependent on each other. This will prevent them from developing as a person.

Maintaining a good friendship  requires respect and forgiveness, but  this can sometimes be hard if someone treated you badly.

I have  a lot of friends. Some people think that you can't have good friends unless you spend a lot of time with someone. But one of my best friends is not in my class. I don't see her very often, but that means when I do, I value her time even more.

Maintaining a good friendship  can be hard work. But  the most important things to remember are to make friends with your heart, and work hard at your friendships.

Chan Sau-ling

POCA Wong Siu Ching Secondary School

Elderly lessons

Most  teenagers  don't try to communicate with elderly people because they think they won't understand what young people are interested in.

Our school had a service day, and all Form Three students  had to go to an old people's home. I was not looking forward to it.

But when I spoke to the elderly residents, I  found  they were very humorous and interesting. The old man I spoke to  told me jokes, and he shared  some interesting details about his school life.

He also shared with us what TV programmes he  had watched recently,  proving that elderly people are not narrow-minded.

I asked him when he met his wife, and he also  told me what he learned  when he visited the mainland. I felt he was a very wise man.

After the visit, I  realised that  elderly are not as boring as we think.  They may like to talk about their past, but their past  full of life experiences and  their stories can teach us a lot.

If you haven't  spent time with elderly people,  find an opportunity to visit and learn.

Ng Cheuk-yiu

Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School

Reading is fun

I have been addicted to reading books and newspapers  since I started Form Six.

I used to think that reading was something only teachers made us do. But I have learned that  reading is good for me.  It teaches me about  society and helps me relax.

When I was younger, I preferred to go shopping with my friends or  watch TV when I had spare time. I thought reading was boring.

But now I  am addicted to reading.  It is part of my daily life. I  think everyone should realise how wonderful reading can be.

Ng Wing-yee

Kit Sam Lam Bing Yim Secondary School

Get a summer job

I think it is important for secondary school students to have a job during the summer holidays.

School summer holidays are very long.  Students may worry about  how to spend their time. Some of them  travel or join  extra-curricular activities.

But I think  summer jobs  are more helpful.

During term time, students'  social circles  are made up of classmates and maybe friends from extra-curricular activities.

Getting a job  means they will make more friends and maybe make useful contacts for the future.

A summer job also teaches you how to work with other people and  gain  communication skills.

Summer jobs also teach young people the value of money.  Many teens get pocket money  from their parents and take it for granted that if they ask, money will appear.

If they have  to work for the money, they will  appreciate it more.

I think all secondary school students should get a job over the summer. Not only will they learn how the real world works and make money, they will make new friends.

Benton

St Francis Xavier's College



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