Once Upon a Time… To You will make you think of someone—
someone who may have been part of a love story long past,
or someone who stands beside you right now.

Within this book lies a seed of a nameless flower,
waiting for the reader to decide what kind of blossom it will become.

By the time you reach the last sentence,
a beautiful flower will bloom anew in this world—
blooming in its own direction,
nurtured by life, creativity, love, faith, and endless hope.

It blooms through the sediment of every letter,
recording all the beautiful moments in the heart.

No matter how much time passes,
millions of feelings once shared with you, with them,
and with every memory,
will return to make you smile again.

These words will never die. They will bloom forever,
carried by love, attachment, longing,
the joy of youth, the sorrow of times gone by,
and hopes that may never come true—
yet still embraced and cherished deep within the heart.

When we were children,
many of us dreamed of becoming adults—
free to do whatever we wished,
without asking anyone’s permission.

But growing up comes at a cost:
responsibilities and countless problems,
both from ourselves and others.

Yet these challenges are tests,
meant to help us grow stronger and wiser.
And when we overcome them,
we learn something valuable.

This book will take you through the stories, people,
and lessons that “Khit Mak” has encountered,
from childhood through youth and into full adulthood.

He believes every lesson that comes our way
holds meaning and value for oneself.

And you?
From your youth until now, what have you been through?
What have you come to understand about growing up?

There’s someone
who’s always been enchanted by your smile.

In a single day… we greet many people and ask how they are, “How are you? Are you well?”
In a single day… we admire and encourage many, “You’re amazing, truly great!”
In a single day… we thank and apologize to many, “Sorry for causing you trouble.”
And in a single day… we smile at many people.

But what about us—have we received a smile back?
We keep giving these things to others so habitually
that sometimes we forget to think
that we need these things too.

…Promise me that from now on, you won’t forget yourself.

An essay documenting the healing journey between two friends—
one a friend seeking advice as he struggles with depression and past wounds,
and the other a friend offering guidance as a psychotherapist using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Depression is neither the beginning nor the end;
it’s a path we often travel, sometimes together, sometimes apart.

This book introduces readers to psychotherapy, emotional planning, and management
through scientific reasoning, helping build strategies to face the many challenges that may come someday.

Based on the real experiences of a person living with depression and his psychotherapist friend.

Awards:
Outstanding Book Award in the Documentary category for ages 12-18,
by the Office of the Basic Education Commission, 2023.