Don't Settle For Less Novels & Stories

My every word was filled with virtue and conviction. "Being soft does not make anyone less of a person. Sometimes, we also have to be weak in order to grow stronger. Do not ever change just to conform in other people's world. Just be yourself and rule your own queendom." I gave a one last alluring smile before uttering my thank you. Everyone clapped and it was my signal to elegantly go back to my position. Nakangiti man ako habang nakaharap sa audience kanina ay hindi ko maiwasang mapapikit pagkatalikod.

“Never settle for less, Dave. Everything you own should be the best.” Noong bata pa ako, pinaniniwalaan ko ang mga iyon. Akala ko, kapag nakuha mo na ang “best,” doon ka na magiging masaya. Pero habang kumakain ako ng pinakbet dito sa simple naming bahay, na-realize kong hindi lahat ng best ay nasa taas ng mundo. Minsan, nasa ganitong tahimik na sandali lang, sa ulam na malamig na, sa note na may dalawang linya, sa presensiyang hindi mo man lang maramdaman pero alam mong nandiyan.

Ang pananatiling iyon ay hindi obligasyon—ito ay pagpili, araw-araw, kahit may kalayaan kang umalis. Ang unang hakbang na ito ay pagbitaw sa ideyang kailangan kong maging perpekto para mahalin. Hindi ko kailangang maging tahimik para maging katanggap-tanggap, ni maging malakas para maging karapat-dapat. Maaari akong maging tao—may kahinaan, may pagkukulang, may mga araw na hindi ko alam ang susunod na hakbang. At sa gitna ng pagiging taong iyon, may puwang para sa pag-ibig na hindi humihingi ng maskara.

"Be the person you want to become. If you want to become successful, you need to sacrifice time and energy to unleash your full potential. If you don't want to be left stagnant, you need to do something different." Third Person's POV Six months later "XYNON, stop dragging our name in the mud!" Nanggagalaiting saad ni Klea. Nagbabasa siya ng dyaryo nang mahagip ng mga mata niya ang litrato ni Xynon na may kahalikang babae.

Hindi niya alam kung bakit biglang kumirot ang kanyang dibdib. Marahil dahil walang taong nagsabi sa kanya ng ganoong bagay noon. Walang nagsabing may karapatan siya. Walang nagsabing maaari siyang humiling. "The words compromise and settle have never existed in my dictionary." Natahimik si Beatrice Sa loob ng maraming taon ay natuto siyang mamuhay nang mag-isa. Natuto siyang huwag umasa.

She was blinking multiple times and thinking deeper. "You should never settle for less, sining. I don't personally know your friends, but I know you enough. And based on my experience, don't get friends that find convenience in you. Never settle for less is also applicable for friendship, believe me. You should never be a part of an option; you're supposed to be there as well, regardless of the circumstances. Don't be too naive in life; it will just hurt you. Don't be too kind as well. Kindness sometimes doesn't do you any good."

Ang sarili niyang kakayahan at determinasyon ang nagbigay ng totoong halaga sa kanya. Sa pagtatapos ng buwan, nagdesisyon si Annatalia na ipagpatuloy ang kanyang mga dating pangarap. Nais niyang mag-aral ng night classes sa business management para magkaroon ng mas matibay na pundasyon sa sariling karera. Hindi na siya nakadepende sa iba; ang bawat hakbang ay sa kanya na lamang.

Keep her standard high and the right person will going to reach that standard for her. Pero may isang bagay siyang palagi nitong pinapaalala. Being into a relationship is not a race. Don’t settle for less. Wait for the perfect time and perfect person. ‘Wag magmadali dahil ang pag-ibig kusang dadating kahit saan at kailan. It came unexpectedly. It felt naturally. Be successful, fulfill your dreams and let everyone adore you. Be a motivator and a role model. And most importantly, never give up your dreams because of love.

"I'm so mad! Galit ako kasi nandyan kayo, tapos siya 'yong wala." Tumango ako. That's why you shouldn't settle for a man, or rather to someone that doesn't have a future to begin with. We shouldn't be at a person who just nurture what's on the present, but fully neglect what will be the possibilities in the future. We don't deserve that. My sister doesn't deserve that kind of person.

Ipinakita niya sa akin na hindi ko kailangang mag-settle sa lalaking bare minimum lang ang kayang ibigay. Ang dami-dami niyang ipinakilala at ipinaramdam sa akin na hindi ko kailanman naramdaman sa piling ni Henry. Dahil sa mga ipinakita at ipinaramdam niya, kung dumating man ang oras na kailangan na naming maghiwalay ng landas, I won’t settle for less dahil ayaw ko nang makulong sa isang relasyon na ako lang ang nagbibigay ng effort at tunay na pagmamahal. Masakit kapag 'yung taong mahal mo, tinitake ka for granted—nakakamatay ang sakit.