Yesterday I started reading the book the Tale of Juliet, it’s an auto-biography of Jhet Torcelino – van Ruyven.  She related her inspiring story from poverty to prosperity.

The Tale of Juliet, in the author’s narration of her struggles proved that how we view life depends on our experiences or lack of it.  She grew up poverty-stricken yet it did not stop her from fulfilling her dreams.  In fact, this fuelled her more to rise above her situation.

It made an impression on me when she recounted her scholar days in La Concordia College.  Other students who were granted scholarship with her would complain about their beds and their food, while she felt so blessed to be eating three nutritious meals a day and to be provided with a bed.  This is in relation with their single room family nipa hut where she grew up and beds were not even existent.

I’m not done with the book yet, but reading a story about someone who was once deprived of all material comforts in the world and  has endured a lot of humiliation, to someone who made a difference in this world is remarkable.

This reminds me of my days when I was still an employee in Makati Central District.  An office colleague asked me, “What is the difference between “difficulty and opportunity?” I didn’t think I answered her.  Answering her own question she said, “ATTITUDE.”