"Daddy, I want to be an astronaut."

"Dad! I got chosen for this leaders course!" "Dad, I'm going to sing for this special event for my choir!" "Dad, I auditioned for this role in a musical."

I remember saying these familiar sentences. I'm very blessed with such good opportunities like these, and I'll always be excited to report back to my parents. After all, I see them everyday, they are the easiest to report to. So here am I looking all happy that I was the one of many to be chosen for these positions.

And my dad's reply will always be the same.
"Concentrate more on your studies, don't do too many outside activities. If your results at the end of the year are not satisfactory, you'll have to drop out of such activities. Understood?"
Not "Wow dear, I'm so proud of you!" or "I'm sure you'll get the role." or just a "Great job." But a reply that will make me regret for even mentioning about such a thing.

I don't know what others think, but for me, I feel that such events and opportunities are as important as studies. Sometimes a leaders camp can boost your credentials, and roles in musicals or choir performances can really help with self-confidence. Plus, is our studies really more important than our interests?

When I was younger, I used to tell my dad that I wanted to be an actress and singer in America, and do many concerts and even help charities. But he will always say that many people don't get into the music industry, and it would be easier to study hard and be successful in other types of work.


Isn't that a little bit of shattering a dream? Its like telling a little girl that Santa Claus doesn't exist. Its taking away the hope, imagination and dreams away from the little girl. How about the first man to step on the moon? If his dad were to tell him when he was little that it is impossible to travel to the moon, because no one has done it before, its a 60% chance he would not have been the first to do it. Of course its mostly on his ownself, and his belief. But a support is still needed for a dream as big as the moon!

Maybe what I really would like is for them to understand and support me. Sometimes we need to learn to stand up when we fall, that's the way in life. We should be the author of our own life, not all in hands of someone else. Sure, we'll need some help here and there, but we should be the one that play a bigger part in our life.

We only live once. It depends if you want to play safe and throw your dreams away, or take the risk and chase your dreams. When I'm older, I think I'll regret what I haven't done, than the things I've failed. We all are young only once, I'll like to do the things I love.

Razors.

Self-Harm is no joke. Self-harm is purposely inflicting pain to oneself, commonly using razors or knifes to cut one's body.

Many people who don't self-harm might find this completely stupid. Why would someone want to do that? So naturally, many people would call these people 'emo', or 'attention seekers'. What these people do not understand is what self-harmers go through in their life.

Firstly, these self-harmers must be mentally hurt really bad to be able to slit themselves like that. They don't just do it for no reason at all. So calling them names and making fun of them isn't helping them at all.

Secondly, what non self-harmers do not know is how difficult it is to stop self-harming. Many self-harmers cut themselves as when they see blood, it reminds them that they are still alive. Also, cutting is an addiction, an addiction which would become an obsession, which would turn into something they cannot live without.

Thirdly, when many people spot cuts on somebody's wrists, they know that he/she is a self-harmer, and that they are just seeking attention by openly showing it. However, the thing is self-harm is a medical condition. There should not be a need to hide it, especially since many are trying to recover. So showing their scars, they are just learning to accept that they have been hurt, and are trying to recover, NOT to show off.

For a self-harmer, everyday they go through the temptation of cutting. When something massive gets thrown to them, their mind loses itself and their bodies just act accordingly. They go through life hurt and broken. Every scar reminding them of what had happened.

Every scar tells a story. And self-harm would never be understood unless you've been through it before. Many self-harmers are trying to recover, and making fun of them is just making them hide themselves and take out their razors. So think before you speak, they are just trying to live and be happy.