"A CHAPTER OF MY LIFE THAT WAS WORTH THE WHILE" BY: CRISOSTOMO, LEI MACA G.

"A Chapter of My Life that Was Worth the While"

I truly despise being corrected. How everyone tried to prove me wrong, and I insist on being right just because I have some information. It was one of those times when you’ve gotten so used to having the right answers that you feel everyone’s opinions don't matter. Where everything felt like it revolved around you and not for everyone—I was wrong. It hinders a part of me from accepting my mistakes and having the chance to own up to errors due to being prideful. I often put up walls to protect my pride, shutting down conversations rather than acknowledging my mistakes, but this stubbornness of mine not only strained my friendships but also held me back from learning and growing in my academic pursuits.

Deep down, I craved validation and reassurance, but my fear of being wrong created a barrier that kept me from seeking it. To be frank, I never considered other people’s feelings because I never indulge in social interaction. If someone knew me since grade school, they knew how I was a nonchalant individual, not someone who tends to start a conversation. I was awkward and felt out of place, just someone who basked in the silence of sounds. This affected my social self gravely, creating some minor misunderstandings with friends of mine. It isn't something intentional–it was instinctual that I was unable to comprehend my words before saying them. Even as I resisted correction, a small voice inside me hoped that one day I would embrace it as a stepping stone toward becoming a better version of myself. One experience of mine that led me to realize that being vulnerable is not weak but a necessity for personal growth was when I tried to answer orally and heard someone saying that I was slightly incorrect, overlooking a particular key point, which forced my tone of indignation to come out. The teacher then explained that, although my answer was partially correct, my classmate was right. After the session, I apologized to my classmate.

In conclusion, every opinion mattered, whether it was right or wrong, and considering every individual's point of view held significance that no one ever knew held such weight. Being able to be vulnerable for once in your life lets you see life from a different perspective, with no subjective statements, just reality with a few facts. As a Senior High School student, now, I'm glad to be able to accept errors as it allows me to grow into a better person whose viewpoint differs from before. Especially allowing myself to be wrong can earn me deeper connections to others. With that in mind, I develop good friends along the way in my journey who provide insights just like I do when they require help. In recognizing the value in every person's voice, I've learned that true strength does not lie in being right, but in embracing the tapestry of diverse perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.