18

I am 18.

Oh yeah, 18 sounds cool…. a very significant number indeed, indicating the age of freedom, the age of adulthood.
Or for some, it means being legal, legal to smoke, drink and doing many interesting things that we were protected from doing for the last 18 years of our lives.

And for people at their mid age, 18 is an age they will envy at…. fresh out of teen-age, strong, youthful; but most important of all, a chance to enjoy the time of your life again.

Yes, 18 sounds appealing, that is if you have a wonderful social network, amazing range of friends and distinctively popular among them. Or you have some talents that get you to the top of the world. Take teen wonders like Wayne Rooney, Maria Sharapova;or teen celebrities like Daniel Radcliffe for example. They are famous. They are someone.

I am a no-one. I’m not even someone to my friends. I’m just one of those no-ones that lives just to make the someones someone. Yes, just like the minor characters in plays or movies, who were created around the main character just to intensify the traits of the main character, to make the main character stands out. When our part is done, we leave this world without a mark, without a trace.

Morgan Freeman’s character in “Million Dollar Baby” had said: “People die everyday, Frankie; mopping floors, washing dishes. Do you know what their last thought is? I never got my shot.”
I do not want to be those people. I know I need to find my shot to be someone.

I realize there are 4 types of people in this world, and being in which is determined by god:

The first are the lucky and conscious. These people usually have the best things in life. They were gifted with talents and they know how to use it well to gain a good and happy life. These people are usually the someones of this world.

The second are the lucky but not conscious ones. These people were also gifted with everything they need in life. For instance some of them may be born in rich families or they have special talents that would make them very famous in the world. But somehow these people do not realize how lucky they are and take things for granted. They just waste their life away and regret later in their lives.

The third are the unlucky but conscious ones. These people did not have everything in life but they realize how important it is to get a better living. They are usually very unhappy with life, because they can think and sometimes feels helpless with the unfairness of god towards mankind. Some of them may be motivated enough flip a coin to change their fate, but only if oppressor above has mercy upon you. Sadly I belong in this group.

The last but not least are the unlucky and unconscious ones. This people may not have everything in life, but they do not ask for more. They are contented with their lives and always playing second in the world. Sometimes I can’t help but sympathizing these people, for I have met many of them when I was working, but at the same time I envied their view towards life and being happy all the time.

If I were to be contented and happy with life, I should stop thinking so much about life. But I know if I do not make full use of the time I have left now, I would only grieve for what have I not done when I was young maybe 30 years from now.

That is why 18 is the starting point to a milestone. The starting line of an unending marathon. The foot of a newly discovered mountain waiting to be hiked.

Yes, I am 18.