MAKING THE MOST OF MY QUALITIES

By Gunesh Divya
(Age 14, Mauritius)

Each person has his own qualities. In the same way mine are knowledge, kindness and willingness to help others, respect to elders, honesty, optimism and faith in God.

Knowledge is my favorite quality. I think knowledge is a very important attribute for a person. Education at school is a good source of knowledge. Education is also a progressive discovery of one's ignorance. I read many good books to enhance my knowledge. Someone who does not read good books has no advantage over the one who can't read them.

I wish to become a doctor in the future, thus I'll construct a clinic in the society for the benefits of all.

My kindness and my willingness to help others are second favorite quality. I'm always gentle to my friends, thus developing my friendly character. My mother always tells me that I am the best daughter in the world. I feel she is proud of me.

Being kindhearted and always wanting to help others, I am in the benevolent club of the school. My friends and I often go at "SOS village" of the society where mistreated children are welcomed. At "SOS village", there are many houses and in each, there is a woman with about seven children. We help the women looking after those children and we try to bring a smile on the faces of the kids by playing with them or organizing picnics. Once, a little girl hugged me, tears in her eyes and she murmured in my ears, "You've been like a sister to me today. Please come back again..."

I am also a volunteer in a center for the deaf in my village. I always encourage the deaf and one day, I saw some of those girls dancing at party. There was a lady giving them instructions by making signs with her hands occasionally. They dance so well that everyone applauded loudly. I was so happy for them that I had tears in my eyes.

My kindness lead to my next attribute, respect to elders. Elders are more experienced about life than the youngsters like me. Their advices are worthwhile and in return they need to be given respect. My grandmother used to tell me that she loved our family and the respect we grant her.

In the bus, whenever I notice an old person standing, I always offer him my seat. A smile or a "thank you" from that person is enough to make me cheerful for the whole day.

Honesty is an important quality. I am always honest, that is why my friends trust me. I am also sincere to my parents; I never lie to them. Where there is honesty, there is trust. Any relationship, whether it is friendship or love, is based on honesty and trust.

Optimism is my other quality. I think one should always think positively in life or else it causes stress. Stress, which is the major health issue of modern society, can lead to depression and other diseases. It always happens whenever a person thinks he can never solve his problem. Everyone thinks his burden is the heaviest but it is not true. Being optimist, I always try to find a solution to my problem. Thus, I'm less stressed.

Faith in God is a quality I like very much. I think faith in God brings a greater peace of the mind. God is one being, perceived under different aspects and forms. This concept forms religion. I find quarrels between people of different religions stupid. Why should we quarrel? We are human beings; the only difference is that we picture God differently. Whether it is Shiva, Christ or Allah, it is the same God.

My faith in God is great. Being a Hindu, I pray Shiva everyday. On Saturdays, when I return from my chemistry tuition, I use to go to the church, which is on my way, and pray Christ.

There was a particular event, which had strengthened my faith in God. When I visited the hospital three months before, I befriended a little boy who had leukemia. He needed a compatible bone marrow or else he would die. He told me he wanted to live and be happy like his friends. I prayed to God so that he could get one soon. After a few days, he really got a compatible bone marrow and now he is enjoying life.

On one occasion a friend asked me, "If you were God, what would you have changed in the world?" I replied softly, "I would have brought peace in the world."

I think that each person should use his qualities to help others. We must not be selfish and must think positively.