Reach Out when you think it's impossible

20 year old male from South Australia

I became a more withdrawn person after my best friend passed away. I hid myself because I did not find life meaningful anymore. I thought there was no point to be out there..

Then out of the blue, I came up with an idea of visiting a charity home - somewhere where I could, hopefully, find some inspiration. So, I asked around and I got a few of my close friends to join me. We bought some lollies, ice creams and chocolates, and we visited a School for the Blind (in Malaysia). We sang some songs and then we talked. I found it inspiring that they could play instruments and excel in their studies despite being blind. Then I asked one kid, if he could have one wish, what would he want to do in life?

He replied, "I just wish I were able to see the colours of the rainbow".

And I went dumb. I stopped talking and I digested those words for a long long time. I had been so greedy all that time - wishing I were richer, wishing I looked better, wishing I had this and that.. But these people could be so happy despite not having a lot of things I had and most of all, all he wished for was "to see the colours of the rainbow".

We had lunch, ate the chocolate and ice cream before we left. As we walked out, they cried. I cried. I did not know why. But I later found out from the principal that a lot of them never tasted chocolate and ice cream before. They were sent to the school because not only are they blind but because their parents cannot afford them.

Perhaps, the less greedy you are, the more content you'll be.. The more you wish for something, the more greedy you get, and you concentrate so much on things you do not have.

I continued to visit hospitals, volunteer at old folks home, Down Syndrome Centre, etc and over and over again, I learnt and learnt.

One young kid who is really, really ill told me, "I don't understand why I'm lying here. I have dreams too. I want to be a kid too and I want to make my parents proud of me as well. But I am lying and I've lay here for years."

One old woman once sang "You are my sunshine" to me. She used to think her son is her sunshine but ever since her son stopped visiting her, everyone who made her smile is her sunshine. And she just hoped that she'll have sunshines everyday until she leaves.

I was helping out in the kitchen at a Down Syndrome Centre and the cake I baked did not turn out well, so I sighed.. One Down Syndrome person (he's 32 but has intelligence of a 7 year old) came to me and gave me a hug. He looked at me with his sincere eyes and said, "Nevermind. Try again".

There are inspirations all around us. I enjoy putting smile on another person and each and every time, I get back at least the amount of joy or happiness that person got from me.

That is my happiness, which I have been searching for. All it took was my willingness to take the first step, and then the second step and slowly, everything becomes easier. I am walking in happiness!

I lost all my volunteer work when I came to Australia, and I missed my kids at the Down Syndrome Centre and the Cancer Ward in the hospital so much! I became depressed and that's when I realised that I was lost! So, I started volunteering at a hospital, then at the Red Cross.

What I think is important to remember is, when you reach a cross road, be willing to try each way and see which suits you best. Don't stay at the cross road too long because you'll never move in the end. There are happy moments but what you want is happiness so find for it and walk in it. Don't stop trying or get distracted. If you believe, nothing is impossible.