My favourite Quote

Commended Entry: "My Favourite Quote" by Rithikha Shree Sivananthan from Malaysia

This article was submitted in the Kids World Travel Guide Essay Competition 2021 in the Junior Category 8 - 11 years.

My Favourite Quote

As a Malaysian living in a multiracial country, every face around me looks different. This makes me wonder... which of us is most fortunate? Should one be tall or short? Lean or muscular? Fair or dark?

Since I was four or five, my '*Mami Gunam' would say, "Always think that you are beautiful, that you are smart, and that you are intelligent – because your voice is the loudest in your mind and that’s what you become".

I am only 10 and lack 53 years of experience compared to Mami Gunam; yet, I feel that the last few years of being at home with her has made me see how true her words are! Her words made me realise that positive thoughts can make anyone achieve anything beyond how you look and the colour of your skin.

The first positive thought is to believe in yourself and my mother is an excellent example. At 26 years old, my mother gave birth to my brother and was juggling between her job as a teacher and looking after the family. By 31, I was born - I must have made her plate fuller! Even though she had to take care of the family, she never looked tired and always had a smile on her face. Her confidence in herself has made her strong like an iron pillar that until today, she looks invincible despite the chaos my brother and I precipitate!

Another positive mind is one that is compassionate and selfless – there is no better example than my father! One afternoon, when my father came to school to receive me, an old Malay man had fallen of the bike in an accident. Without thinking, my father rushed to the man and lifted him up. That moment, I learnt the importance of helping someone in need, even if it is someone you have never met - my father was a mover and shaker in my eyes who helped a distressed person without a second thought.

I know I will grow up to be like any woman who strives to look presentable, but I will always make sure my mind is equally beautiful. It is important for all of us to have a positive mind and stay optimistic, especially now during the challenging times of this pandemic because… a positive mind makes a beautiful life!

* Mami = Grandma

Thank you for the wonderful essay "My Favourite Quote", Rithikha. This is such a lovely story of you and your family! Positive thinking and selflessly helping a distressed person in need is what we all should hear about again and again. Let's hope that we all remember and act upon your favourite quote. Congratulations! Well done!

Rithikha Shree Sivananthan attends Pusat Tuisyen Alfa Matriks in Malaysia.