Growing up is like a journey of getting to know your true self. Along the way, we may sometimes get lost and not recognise who we truly are. However, if we can hold tight to our faith and not be threatened by all the setbacks in life. We can eventually find the meaning of life. For me, the first breakthrough came when I kicked off my secondary school life.

 

Being a girl with low self-confidence, I thought I was inferior to others. In primary school, I was labelled as a coward and loser. I can still remember very clearly how other people played pranks on me. I always received rubbish in my locker or some wasted paper with words like “You are a loser” written on it. These bullies were like swords that hurt me ruthlessly. Therefore, I seldom talked to others. My only hope was that I could grow up quickly and get promoted to a secondary school which could possibly be a heaven to me.

 

My wish has come true very soon. After I enrolled in my current secondary school, I joined the Archery Team by chance. Then, I started my first practice of archery. The first time I saw the arrow hit the bullseye, I was fascinated by it! I could hit the target so easily. I never knew I could do it. I fell in love with archery from that very moment! Since then, I practice hard every day. Throughout the process, I realised that all I needed to do was to compete with myself. I tried to improve my archery skills by correcting my wrong postures and adjusting my mentality. I have learnt that in archery I don’t have to compare myself with others. Archery has brought me confidence. My only enemy is myself. I have finally found my passion for life.

 

My first attempt in archery competition came very soon after my first practice. I admitted that I was as timid as how my primary schoolmates described me. But I kept telling myself ,‘I am not a loser!’. When the competition started , I felt that I have gained a lot of emotional power, that made me become more powerful and confident. I tried to perform my very best to complete the competition. When I calmed down, I started to aim at the gold medal. I was determined to get the champion!

 

Eventually, the competition ended and I was exhausted and soaked in sweat. It was time for the judge to announce the results. While the judge called out my name—”the champion was Lui Ka Lam”, my secondary school friends and teammates all burst with joy! hugged me and the audience gave me a standing ovation. That was just unbelievable! I was overjoyed and that was the first time I felt different from before! That was the first time I gained a sense of achievement!

 

Through archery, I have regained my confidence. I was once considered a loser and coward in primary school. Now, I am proud of myself for making progress and becoming a better person!