Be resilient. Even with a good plan, obstacles will arise.
After being pickpocketed in Yangon and losing my passport, national ID, and money, I returned to my hometown to start over by reapplying for a national ID. Traveling by bus between my hometown and Yangon typically took two days, but this time was worse due to the rainy season. The roads were muddy, and one bus getting stuck on the narrow road between Kalay and Monywa caused a traffic jam. This delay extended my journey, and it took me five days to reach my hometown. Upon arriving at the bus station in my hometown, I had to hire a tricycle to get home. Unfortunately, the tricycle driver was drunk and caused an accident, injuring my knee. It took another month for my knee to heal.
During my knee injury, I remember vividly how my mother took care of me. She would gently wrap a long white bandage around my leg and massage it with warm water every morning. Recalling this now as I write, I realize how much I missed her motherly care during the two years I spent alone in Yangon. Despite being physically sick, being at home with my mother ensured my emotional well-being. Eating food cooked by her and receiving her care felt like medicine to me.
My mother’s nurturing during my knee injury made me realize the importance of resilience. She provided emotional and physical support, highlighting the significance of overcoming obstacles in life. This time, my mother wanted me to stay home instead of returning to Yangon. The main reason was her concern about my health and safety. I understand the typical mother’s desire for her sons during those days. While I understood her desire for me to stay home and care for my siblings, I knew deep down that I couldn’t give up on my aspirations. This conflict between familial obligations and personal goals shaped my determination to persevere.
My trip back home taught me that obstacles are a normal part of life. Overcoming challenges is important for moving forward, and being resilient helps a lot. Resilient people stay strong and keep going even when things get tough. While being resilient doesn’t make problems go away, it helps us deal with them better and learn from them.
As I prepare to share Part-7 of my journey, I encourage you to remain resilient in pursuing your goals. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
