My Teacher, My Friend

I was very touched and inspired by an email I received this morning from my high school English Literature teacher...a person who instantly became my close personal friend from the very first day of class. Her message read like a poem and so I share it here with you in the form of one.

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A State of Happiness
By Ilona Gervasio de Jesus

Yes ......, I am very happy.
I like who and what I have become
and feel very at ease with myself.

You are right.
What really matters is our inner self - CORE.
Happiness is not people, places nor things.
It is a state of mind.

Whoever or whatever surrounds me
can only bring me happiness
if I apply my happiness to them.

Nowadays, I focus more on making an encounter
more pleasant for the other person,
especially when I see a sadness in them.
I figured, what does it really take for me to give to another
that moment in time when I have all the rest of the day.

I look back and I know
that whatever I have been through,
the joys, the sadness, the trials;
these have chiseled my character.

I welcome whatever, grinding, chipping,
polishing and buffing that will come
because I know in my heart that it will transform me
to the diamond I hope to be.

I have been blessed
I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE HAPPY ABOUT.
GOD IS GOOD.

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