Olga Khizhinkova’s Alphabet: The Courage to Forge Your Own Path
Olga Khizhinkova: A Life of Compassion and Courage
Our new “Alphabet” heroine needs no special introduction. Olga Khizhinkova shares her journey of volunteer work, compassion, and an unyielding zest for life.
The Pain of Empathy
Every individual is born with a certain degree of empathy. Mine has always been off the charts. From a young age, I felt a deep sense of injustice, especially towards animals. Growing up in a rural area, I witnessed the harsh reality of farm animals being raised only to be slaughtered. This consumerist attitude towards living beings deeply affected me and shaped my character.
Glasha, the Cat
Recently, I found a home for a cat named Glasha. A young woman came to meet Glasha and ended up adopting another cat I was temporarily caring for. Now, she sends me photos and videos of the two happy cats living in a spacious house. It’s heartwarming to see such happy endings.
I’m not part of any charity organization. I simply help when I can. My resources are limited, but I do what I can to make a difference.
The Plight of Animals
Contact zoos and the suffering of animals… I still can’t understand why these exist. We claim to be civilized, yet we find entertainment in seeing animals suffer in captivity. Why not watch National Geographic instead? Why do we need to see animals in cages?
It all starts with parents. Many choose to ignore the cruelty behind the scenes, preferring to see animals perform tricks. Even educated people take their children to circuses and dolphinariums, supporting an industry of cruelty that persists to this day. I cannot accept this.
There are national parks where animals live in their natural habitats. If we want to see animals, let’s create conditions where they can thrive, not suffer. At the current rate of consumption, our great-great-grandchildren may never see a bear in the wild.
The Desire to Live
Life is about living in harmony with oneself and one’s conscience. We all make mistakes, but life’s beauty lies in our ability to learn and grow from them. The experiences we gain are invaluable.
As a child, I heard the phrase, “If you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” This resonated with me. I’ve had jobs I loved, where time flew by, and work felt like a natural part of life.
Dreams and Goals
Perhaps adults shouldn’t just dream; they should strive for concrete goals. I’m a realist and a person of action. I believe in turning dreams into goals, something tangible to work towards.
As a child, I dreamed of being a teacher. I even pretended to teach my stuffed animals. In a way, that dream came true when I worked at the National School of Beauty with children.
Misfortune and Empathy
We rarely think about misfortune until it happens to us. I often see parents fundraising for their children’s medical treatments, asking, “Why us?” I understand their pain, but I also believe that we should be aware of others’ suffering.
Chekhov’s story “Gooseberries” reminds us that behind every happy person, there should be someone to gently tap on their door, reminding them of the suffering in the world. One day, that suffering person could be you.
The Courage to Forge Your Own Path
Each person has their own path. The courage lies in following your own path, not someone else’s. We live in a world of stereotypes about success and status. People often forget what truly interests them, trying instead to meet societal expectations.
I respect those who dare to be themselves and follow their own path. We change throughout our lives. The “me” from ten years ago and the “me” today are different people, though some core beliefs remain. I believe I influence my own destiny. I make decisions independently, rarely seeking advice, and even when I do, it’s never the deciding factor.
