As elementary school teacher, I have always witnessed different competitions among my students and colleagues as well. It is a human nature to compete and aim to be the best among others, even sometimes we forget to stay true and honest to ourselves. We want to please others to the point that we diminish pleasing ourselves.

One day, as I was having lunch in my classroom, I heard two students talking outside. They were talking about the contest they will be joining. One would be joining in an inter-school poster-making contest while the other is in the quiz bee.

I notice these two girls are best friends. Maria the class top 1 and Anita, the second on top.

Anita said, “If we win, we’ll certainly take pride to our school. Our teachers would be delighted. Our parents would be proud!”

“It’s ordinarily OUR pride”, Maria replied.

It was a simple statement but the impact on me was solid. Many people always work hard to please the people around.

Maria, certainly, didn’t stretch for admirations and gratefulness. Instead, she focused on how she enjoyed the work she is doing and how it is improving her as a person. Let us always be mindful of our actions and plans in life with honesty and probity towards self-actualization.

As posted by Ed Sheeran on Twitter: “I can’t tell you the key to success but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” And this is something that I learned from my students.

By: Andrea T. Galiza| Teacher III| Kalalake Elementary School|Olongapo City