Flourish in Colors
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Cover artwork by Monica Jiménez Ortigoza, age 17, Paraguay
Written by Fiorella Belén Alfonso Aldama, age 15, Paraguay
When we’re surrounded by a gray community, we have two options: be one of the crowd or make a difference by blooming with color.
Life gives us different opportunities to choose how to live, and based on the experiences we have, we can change our way of seeing it. But to do so, we need to stop and break out of the frantic race we sometimes live in. We must analyze and rethink whether or not we’re achieving the life we seek, what we can do to get closer and closer to that goal, what’s in our hands, and what’s not.
I once heard the expression “Our day is joyful if we allow it to be,” and I believe it’s true in many ways. However, life often throws obstacles in our way that keep us from waking up with a smile, making us wonder why God, fate, or the universe has placed us in the position of having to deal with these challenges. Throughout my life, I’ve felt that countless times, sitting up nights wondering if I was doing something wrong to deserve something bad.
To begin to overcome life’s obstacles, even though most of the time we need to do it on our own, there’s always someone to support us in this process, like mom or dad. In other cases, those who support us are friends, friends who are always there, giving us their time and love.
It’s true, there are also friends who abandon us along the way, and sometimes they’re those we least expect or those we love the most. But despite their departure, they all leave us with something to learn, and we have to appreciate and value that.
I had a friend full of light and joy, who saw the most negative things with a touch of positivity, always showering her loved ones with hugs and good vibes. I remember one day when she was sick, I missed her hugs, laughter, and conversations. It was a very difficult time for me, but even while she was in the hospital, she continued to support me and help me to have a positive mindset. That life lesson taught me that no matter the place, circumstance, or distance, the love of people and what they mean to us, as well as everything they make us feel, will always be in our hearts.
I was born and raised in a Catholic home where, from a young age, I was taught that every action of God is for a reason, that man proposes and God disposes. Thanks to this experience, I remembered that God uses those around me to teach me, guide me, and impact my life. I learned that it’s in our hands to leave the people around us with a happy memory, brightening their day with a hug or a smile. I learned to look at my daily life in a positive way. We don’t know what will happen the next day; we must value the moments, live to the fullest, and try to leave a positive impact on others. Hugging and greeting with a smile doesn’t cost anything, but it can brighten someone’s day.
Bad days are only temporary. Let’s not just look back, let’s try to find our way, find ourselves, living each experience as if it were a treasure, admiring everything from the simplest to the most complex, learning from our mistakes, appreciating what we do, creating new connections, and strengthening old relationships.
Our interpersonal relationships and the bonds we have with others impact our perception of ourselves and life. Surrounding ourselves with positive people helps us improve. But how can we also be that light in the lives of others? The answer is gratitude.
From my perspective and personal experience, gratitude is the foundation of everything. We cannot learn the true meaning and value of gratitude overnight, but this knowledge will undoubtedly help transform our lives and the lives of others. When I think about this, I can’t help but think back to the time when one of my cousins, with whom I practically grew up, who was always there when I needed him, left our city and went to Spain for a better future. It hurt so much not to have him; he was a fundamental part of my life, so I felt very lonely and sad for months. However, I later discovered that I still had so many things that connected me to him, and that his teachings would always be with me. I could remember him when eating a meal, by going to a place we both liked, listening to a song, or even watching a movie. That life lesson taught me that no matter the place, circumstance, or distance, the love of people and what they mean to us, as well as everything they make us feel, will always be in our hearts.
Our lives are full of colors. For me, each color represents a person, an experience, a place, my passions, my fears, the good and the bad, everything that makes me who I am. Life is a roller coaster. There are times when we are at the top and other times when we are at the bottom, and that’s okay, because we move forward. The important thing is that along the way we can admire the simple things, the little things that make us happy, what actions make us feel that happiness, that despite having gray days, we must flourish in colors and share our brilliance while making a difference, seeking joy and happiness in everything.
Fiorella Belén Alfonso Aldama, Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay, was 15 when she wrote this article. She likes reading and writing and is passionate about learning new cultures and volunteering. Fiorella loves to spend time with her family and watch movies.