I used to hate my mother because she worked a lot and didn't spend much time with me. Then one Friday morning I took part in a three-day self-help programme for teenagers. Whether you believe it or not, that weekend changed my life.

    About 100 other teenagers were there. During the first two days I met a lot of great people. I was glad because I made so many friends there.

    On Sunday, the leader did an interesting exercise called "Chocolate or Toys". He asked a girl which she liked better, chocolate or toys. She chose chocolate. Then he asked her to choose again between chocolate and chocolate. Of course, she didn't have a choice.

    This exercise told us that sometimes we don't have a choice in life, and that sometimes we have to accept some- thing, rather than complaining(抱怨).

    A girl stood up and started talking about her mum who was a drug addict and how much she hated her mother.

    "I want a new mum," she cried.

    "Unfortunately, you can't have one," the leader replied. "You have to accept the mother that you have.

    This hit me hard. I realized that, for better or worse, my mum was my mum. I couldn't choose another mum, but I could try to make the best of the situation.