Dear Max,

There are so many good things that I wanted to tell you. But life is not only about good things...there are some "not so" good about it too.

Things have changed so much...and what's tricky about change is that its not always for the better.

Change is good if you're in charge of change...if you're the one creating change. But if someone else is choosing for you, if you're adjusting into someone else's wants and whims then, its not so good anymore.

When you grow up, make an effort to lead...to bring change...for the better.

You will always have the power to choose what is better...for you and for the people around you.

A lot of people choose to be miserable...because by being miserable and unhappy they think that they are living the life of a saint. They find meaning in their suffering and they hate those people who tries to be happy. They suck the life out of those people who have a joyful soul.

Don't be like that anak. Choose to be happy so you can contribute happiness to this world. If you can't bring happiness to others, then, atleast do not be a cause of their sadness.

Be careful of those people who are addicted to sadness. First, they will try to make you feel responsible for making them happy, for saving them from a life of misery. But when you believe them, when you accept to be the source of their happiness, they will try to change you to be like them...and when you change, they will blame you for changing...they will hate you because you can't bring them happiness anymore.

Get away from these people.. Don't feel guilty if you leave them unhappy...you can and will never make them happy anyway because sadness and misery is their fuel, that's what's keeping them alive. So leave, if you can...and never, never look back.

We can always choose to be happy. Choose it. There is no virtue in suffering and misery especially when everyone knows you are suffering. You have no responsibility to make other people happy, it's their responsibility to their selves...its your responsibility to your self.

Live a life of joy...for as long as you can. Search for those things that will make you happy, for those feelings that will fulfill you.

And don't forget the small stuffs, sometimes, when life gets too big to handle, the small stuff will save you...sunrise...sunset...flowers...birds...even the snail hiding in its shell.

I love you.


~mommy