Jack’s View on Sadness
I had three best friends in college. We had so much fun together, including birthday parties, sports, movies, lunch chats, laughs with girls, etc. We were together almost every day for the first year. Sadly, we broke off in the second year because I realized they said terrible things about me behind my back and they never liked me. I asked them why they betrayed my trust and friendship, but they replied, "We pretend to like you because you always have more money to pay our bills." I was sad for several months and tried to change myself to regain their friendship. Unfortunately, they constantly criticized me for even a tiny mistake or flaw. Finally, I gave up on trying to be their friend. I continued my college life without a friend and graduated with a GPA of 3.8 because I focused on my studies without spending hours every day with them for fun. Although the sad feelings were with me for many years, I achieved more during that lonely time. I am married with two beautiful daughters and a wonderful wife. I work at a steel factory as an assistant engineer. For me, sadness is a poison but also a medicine. I learned more from those sad years about how to love myself, forgive others, and live a happy life. I do not hate them anymore because they helped me find the meaning of life from within, not from empty lies, pretentious compliments, and fake friendships.
Ethan’s View on Sadness
I had a horrible time at my first part-time job in a local French restaurant because the manager mistreated me. I started having hateful feelings toward him and tried several times to steal money from his wallet. I could not leave that place because I needed that job to pay my rent and college tuition. I felt miserable in his presence. I developed sleeping problems because I could not stop thinking about his verbal torture of me. Thanks to the help of my college counselor, who guided me through the painful emotions. I quit that job and found another waiter job in an Italian restaurant. I remained strong and did not let myself be controlled by emotions and hate about the bad experiences. I look back today and have nothing but gratitude because that manager reminded me how to treat others as I want to be treated. I am more considerate and compassionate to customers and co-workers.
Emma’s View on Sadness
I was so sad when my mother died in a bad car accident three years ago because she loved me with everything she had after my father left us when I was eleven years old. The loneliness without her in my life created a domino effect that made me lazy and spiritless. I stopped going out for lunch or dinner on Saturdays as I always do with my mother; I often skipped meals by staying in bed the whole day. The laziness and loneliness diffused into all parts of my life without any desire to do anything or see anyone. Gradually, I lost track of news, current affairs, new movies, celebrities, etc. I succumbed to a life of despair and hopelessness. I allowed my life with nothing but sadness and painful feelings. I became an invisible presence in my office (I work in a law firm as a legal assistant). I felt everything was falling apart since my mother’s passing. Finally, my life changed after I joined a local meditation group because I learned how to take control of my life even without my mother’s physical presence. I understood more about life and death from my meditation instructor. I have stopped feeling miserable and managed to start a responsible life. I finally felt great again after a long time.
To Be Continued.