C O M P A R E

"What is meaningful for you?" I asked Yan.

"For me, it is reaching my parents' expectation. That's all..." she answered.

Undeniably, there are lot of students whose goal is to reach their parents' expectation, want to prove themselves that they are "useful", better. Why? Because tradition parents like to compare their children with nephews or nieces or even within their own children.
"Look at your sister AND look at you. Why both of you have such a BIG difference?!"

My mother used to compare me with my cousin who is pretty and intelligent. Until one day, I gave my mom a piece of my mind - "Stop comparing, please... If you like her so much, then you take her as your daughter lar. I am willing to be exchanged. Or you can choose to abandon me, I don't mind..." OK. I know this is rude but I had stood it for almost 15 years. My mom didn't feel tired but my ears refused to suffer. I had to do it. If not, I think I would be the next Yan. After this, my mom, of course did not stop comparing. The only thing I fear of is I might follow my mom's step - comparing my children with others, just like a Chinese proverb - you qi mu bi you qi nu. I DUN WAN!!!!
I still remember that there was a soon-to-be graduator committed suicide before the day of his graduation. He wrote a will. The content was inviting his parents to attend the ceremony and received the cert. Because he studied law which his parents insisted. In contrast, he wanted to pursue a med degree. Maybe you think how stupid he was, "can continue study med after study law mar"... BUT, this is not the point. He just wanted to be respected, wanted to make a decision by himself for his own future.

For those who just want to prove him/herself to meet the expectations, I want to ask a question - when these expectations no longer exist, when your parents no longer beside you, when you are alone, what kind of person will you be? How are you going to live without expectation?