There's Light at the End of the Tunnel

2020-2024 were really tough years for me. Thankfully, I was healthy, I was in school doing well but emotionally and financially, I was down in a tunnel. One quote I held unto was, "There's light at the end of the tunnel". There's just something about that quote that gives me hope. Hope for a better tomorrow. But it wasn't always like that/ It wasn't always like that at all.

I remember the first quarter of 2020, before COVID came, my parents were going through financial crisis. And being the only child and still quite young at the time, there was little to nothing I could do. I remember desperately wishing then that I had a sibling, that I could at least share the burden with. But looking back now, that might have been a selfish wish because, even with just me, it was hard enough to survive, imagine having others.

My dad retired that year and unfortunately, he made an investment with his savings and it all went down the drain. The first two months were okay, surviving on my mum's little provision store. But that could only carry us for a short period of time. The truth is, when it first happened, I wasn't worried. I was naïve because I didn't fully grasp the concept of what had happened.

The first time it dawned on me was when I got admission to study my desired course and I couldn't go before there was no money to afford the tuition fees. I was in a DEEP, DARK HOLE that year, it was tough for me. I got suicidal and that even scared my parents more. Every time I think back to those moments, it sends a shiver down my spine because those were truly dark times.

Ironically, COVID came and most educational system shut down for at least a year. I remember my mum told me then that, "there's a reason for everything". She painted this scenario that what if I had proceeded to accept the admission and then got stuck in school during the lockdown, unable to travel home. Knowing the home condition at the time, how would I have survived? They wouldn't be able to send me money or food.

Ever since my family and I went through those dark tunnels and indeed got to the end of the tunnel to see light, big bright light, I've always taken on every phase, challenge or obstacle in life with two reasoning:

1. There's light at the end of the tunnel
2. Everything happens for a reason.

And not to be overly religious but I'm a Christian and one of the teachings from my religion backs up that point number two for me. "All things happen for the good of those who believe in him" "For the plans I have for you is to prosper you and not to do you harm, hope for a better future"

So, even when I say to myself that all things happen for a reason, I know that at the end of the tunnel, it is for my good. For hope of a better future.

This is the highlight of how 5 years has changed me.

Thoughtful Thursday Prompt

Both images are mine