The Girl Who Wanted a Hug, Not a Trophy

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  As children, we all crave our parents' attention. The pride in their eyes when we earned a star, the excitement of showing them a perfect score in exchange for a small reward – it all fueled our desire to be acknowledged. There was a girl, so thirsty for her parents' attention, that she did everything she could to be noticed. Her name was Jestine, and she was determined to be the perfect daughter. Jestine had six siblings – four boys and three girls, including herself. Sometimes, she felt her parents were unfair to her, especially when comparing her to her siblings. She was innocent, soft-hearted, and immature at the time. But when she entered high school, she dedicated herself to achieving excellence. Every year, she aimed for the top of her class, striving to earn awards and certificates. She did it all for her parents. Despite all the challenges she faced, all she truly wanted was for her parents to be proud of her and to spend time with her as their daughter.

     As she entered college, Jestine found herself in a new world. The pressure to succeed was even greater, but she was determined to excel. She joined clubs, volunteered in her community, and immersed herself in her studies. She continued to earn accolades, but something was missing. The validation she craved from her parents never seemed to come. She began to realize that her relentless pursuit of perfection was not bringing her closer to them. It was creating a wall between them. One evening, as she sat alone in her room, staring at a collection of certificates and awards, Jestine felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She realized that she had become so focused on achieving her parents' approval that she had forgotten to simply be their daughter. She had forgotten the simple joys of sharing a meal, a conversation, or a laugh with them. In the next day, she simply asked her parents to join her for a walk in the park. As they strolled along, she listened to their stories, their hopes, and their dreams. She shared her own experiences, her fears, and her aspirations. For the first time in a long time, she felt a genuine connection with them, a connection that wasn't based on achievement but on shared experiences and mutual understanding.

 

   The walk in the park was a turning point for Jestine. She realized that true happiness wasn't about striving for perfection, but about embracing her imperfections and connecting with the people she loved. She continued to excel in her studies and her extracurricular activities, but she did so with a newfound sense of balance. She made time for her family, for her friends, and for herself. She learned to appreciate the journey, not just the destination. 


   It's a reminder that the pursuit of external validation can sometimes lead us astray. True happiness comes from within, from embracing our own strengths and weaknesses, and from cherishing the connections we have with the people we love. The most important star we can ever earn is the one that shines brightest within our own hearts.




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