Thinking about all things that are happening around us , I realize how true it is that we really can’t have it all in life. Most of our parents struggled a lot while raising us, and many of them never had the kind of life we have now. Life seems to change with each generation. Even when they themselves didn’t have much growing up, most parents still wanted the best for their children. They are willing to sacrifice a lot just to make sure we have opportunities they never had. I’ve come to understand that no one else will really want the best for you in the same way. Even people who care about you may feel uneasy if you surpass them because, in some way, your success reminds them of what they didn’t achieve. Only parents often see it as a true source of pride.
Thinking about my own childhood brings back many memories. I didn’t have anyone to sit with me while doing homework. I lived with my grandma, and most of the time, I had to figure things out on my own. Sometimes, I would go visit other children on the street or ask for help from anyone willing, but most of the time, I had to manage alone. It was not easy. There were many moments I felt I couldn’t cope, but I learned to push through. Looking back, I realize that experience taught me responsibility and how to face challenges without giving up. Those lessons, though, left some habits I still struggle with today.
Now, when I see younger people giving up easily, I understand that their world is very different from mine. Life has become easier in many ways because of technology. Everything is available at their fingertips, and they rarely face the kind of struggles we did. That comfort can sometimes make them less patient or less willing to push themselves through difficulties. Still, I try to guide them patiently, hoping that the lessons I teach about resilience and persistence will help them when life demands it.
Time changes everything. The struggles people faced in my childhood are not the same as the challenges young people face now. I remember that only a few households had televisions when I was growing up. Entertainment, learning, and even communication were very different back then. We had to make do with what we had, and often, that meant learning through hardship. Even though life was tough, it prepared us in ways that comfort cannot.
I have come to appreciate both worlds. My childhood struggles taught me discipline, resilience, and patience, while today’s easier lifestyle brings opportunities that were unimaginable back then. I think the key is balance, teaching the younger generation to value comfort but also to understand effort and responsibility. Life is never easy, and the earlier we learn to face challenges, the stronger we become.