The grass ain't greener on the other side.

I saw this on PostSecret and it really strikes a chord inside me.

Be kind - for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

I keep hearing how people keep complaining how terrible their lives are and how perfect the lives of some people seem to be. Some people seem to have it all - they're popular; good looking; intelligent; rich and have traveled to all four corners of the globe before they're even twelve.

I used to think why life was so unfair, why some kids seemed to get all the toys and all the attention, but some didn't seem to get their fair share. Why did some kids get to go on expensive trips to Europe and the USA when I never seemed to go anywhere out of the country? Why did some kids get all the branded stuff that my parents never seemed to pamper me with? Was the world just unfair and I was put on the losing end? It sure did seem that way.

As I grew older (and more mature, I hope), I begun to realize the truth - the grass isn't greener on the other side. I started to realize that all of us are but flawed humans, and that everybody, no matter how successful they seem to be on the outside has either struggled really hard to overcome great obstacles, or are still battling their inner demons who we don't know about.

All of us have our own burdens to bear, and it's just plain immature to think that your burdens are heavier than everybody else's.

This is life. People all around are just like you. Just because they're richer, more popular or more physically attractive doesn't mean that they don't have a whole large set of problems to deal with. Life makes sure of that, it just has its own way of making things fair.

We're all struggling to survive in this world, so if you can, I strongly believe in extending a little kindness, a little bit of love to the people around you. Showing how much you love your friends with a big bear hug; making a phone call to talk to a friend whom you've not seen for a while; or even a kind, encouraging word, don't take too much effort, but they make life so much more meaningful and pleasant.

Mother Teresa once said "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: Kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."

I strongly believe in those words. As hard as life seems to be, just by taking the effort to brighten someone else's day you also end up making yours seem so much sweeter.

We can't choose the cards that we're dealt, but we can still play them the best we can. Pass the love around. (:

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The grass can be green... on DJ's side that is! We won the HELP College National Debate yesterday, making it NINE national interschool debating titles in NINE years!

Congrats to Neal, who won best speaker at the finals yesterday, Michelle, Rabin and Ming Ping! I'm so proud of you guys! Continue to come back and help out debaters in the future, kay?

Check out the updated DJ Debate Hall of Fame here!

Maybe the grass really is greener on DJ's side after all...... after we get rid of Datin, that is.

Cheers to all!