KNOW YOUR WORTH Author’s Name: Zeti Fatimah 2023
Arif was a top student in his school. He managed to get straight A's in his Form 3 final exam. He was lucky as he managed to get into one of the 10 top schools in Malaysia. His parents were so proud of him and they were so excited to send him to that top school as he turned Form 4.
When he entered the school, he was so happy and had a big dream of being a top student in that school even though he was surrounded by many intelligent, brilliant, and top students from all around Malaysia in that school. Out of the blue, there was a pandemic that year. All schools are closed for several months to avoid the pandemic from getting worse. Online classes were held while everyone was staying at home.
Even though it was hard to learn new things from the online classes, he was still motivated and worked hard to achieve his dream. On the first test of the semester, he managed to get a good result and was ranked number one in his class. His classmates always asked him any questions that they didn’t understand and he was always there to help them.
Naufal was one of his classmates that always asked questions and help from him. Naufal always asks Arif to send him his work even though Arif has taught Naufal what to do. But Naufal just doesn’t care and just wants to see the work that Arif has done. Even though Arif felt used, he still helped Naufal and gave what he wanted. Naufal kept taking advantage of Arif and just didn’t care what Arif felt during the months of online classes. Naufal also always complained and said something negative. He always talks about himself and does not want to listen to others.
One day, Arif was so drained by the action that Naufal had done to him and felt so depressed. He could not focus anymore. He feels used and unappreciated as the friendship relationship between Arif and Naufal wasjust one-sided. He always has to do everything for Naufal. He could not say “no” to Naufal because he was too pitiful for Naufal and wanted to help him even though he was having a rough time. Yes, he was a people pleaser that was being used. Day by day passes, he felt so depressed andtired. He doesn’t know how to stop the one-sided friendship between himand Naufal. He felt tired every day. He felt like he wanted to sleep all day. His interest in doing things he likes like drawing and playing football faded.
As months passed and the class was still being held online, the second test of the semester being held and Arif’s academic achievements were dropped. He felt so sad and didn’t have the motivation to study. He missed his old school environment and friends that was very supportive and happy.
One day, his brother realized that Arif was not well and something wrong happened to him. So, he talked to Arif and asked him what happened. Arif told his brother that he has one toxic friend who drags him and makes him feel so draining and unmotivated.
So, his brother told him to avoid that friend. He said, “You must know your worth and go where you are valued”. His brother asked him to stop being too nice to toxic people like that. He was just taking advantage of him. His brother said to him to think about himself too as one may not think about us, they just wanted to take advantage. His brother also taught him to say “no” to things that he doesn’t want to do according to a suitable situation. His brother also asked him to find some good friends. “If there are toxic surroundings around you, and you have to walk alone, just do that, so that you won’t be affected by that toxic surrounding that can drag you down” , he said. After that talk with his brother, he felt motivated again and realized that not everything he must say “yes” if a person asks him to do. He also has something more important to do and achieve.
After that day, he realized his worth and selected more good people to surround him in his life. He managed to get straight A’s in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and further studies at the university that he wanted.
Now, when he remembered that worst memory he had in his life, he was so grateful to his brother and the experience he had. Now, he knows how to value himself and think wisely before doing anything. In conclusion, we must know our values and don’t let anyone drag us down. We must know our worth and do our best even though we must do it alone. Never let toxic people around you affect you.
SO, DON’T FORGET TO “KNOW YOUR WORTH”
THE END