An Open Letter to Those Who are Struggling Lately

  

   I know these days have been harsh. Lately, life seems to be a cave full of darkness, without end. It appears to be a tunnel, continuously draining your strength and breath. It's tiring; it's suffocating. It seems that nothing interests you to keep going. Some are tired of doing nothing, while others are exhausted due to overworking. You miss the old days. You long for the feeling of happiness, genuine happiness, just like before.

  Your house seems to be a stranger place to you. It's not as warm as before. The more you stay inside, the farther you feel from home. Every corner seemed to be different. School activities keep on piling up each week. You don't discern where to begin and when to finish. Completion appears to be your goal over learning. It's not as satisfying as raising your hands during discussions or having challenging pen-and-paper exams. 

   There are times that your friends are busy as well with their lives. A single message from them doesn't notify to your inbox. Late and no replies sometimes feel frustrating. The news adds up to your burden, full of negativities and pessimism. It reminds you that the situation keeps on getting worse each day. Clownery and toxicity surround social media. 

   But, I commend you for waking up today.  I admire your courage to face the new difficulties that this life will give. Perhaps, you just overlook that your home is your primary source of delight. Your school gives you other ways to learn, which you're not used to as before. Your friends are still there, but there are times that they are as busy as you. There is also some news that gives optimism, and you sometimes just disregard them. 

   I know you're a champion. I want you to root back why you still choose to breathe despite this suffocating world. You have goals; you have dreams. You have the fire to burn all the hardships along the way. Life isn't easy, because if it is, everybody will do it. Seek the light inside this complicated cave. Even with the tiniest spark of hope, follow it. Pray for it. Little by little, gone are the days of struggles.