I got a 3rd Class...
I always say that my life is a testimony and people wonder why...Well, in 2015, I found out that I was awarded a 3rd class! And that even after my re-sits, I would have to wait until the following year to qualify for graduation. In that period, I didn't get grades that I could proudly post about, neither was I sure what would become of me or how I would navigate on from that point in my life.
As I glance through Social Media, I see several graduation images accompanied with captions like, "I just graduated with a First class...So happy to have obtained my 2:1! Chapter over, on to the next one..."
This post is for those that might have failed to attain those coveted end results for one reason or another.
I always say that my life is a testimony and people wonder why...Well, in 2015, I found out that I was awarded a 3rd class! And that even after my re-sits, I would have to wait until the following year to qualify for graduation. In that period, I didn't get grades that I could proudly post about, neither was I sure what would become of me or how I would navigate on from that point in my life.
Fast forward to now, and though I still have a long way to go, I want to use this opportunity to encourage those that might feel like they failed. You haven't! Yes, you find yourself in a position where you might need to go for some extra training, or pass through a different non-traditional route, or change short term plans altogether...because you are still alive, there is HOPE!
You might not feel worthy to post or might feel like you've let yourself and family down. But I want to personally encourage you to use this period and what you were able to gain (no matter how small), as a reminder and as part of your drive & motivation going forward.
Your grades can help, but will not determine the final outcome of your life. Take some time out to reflect on areas you could have approached better, list down all the positives that have come out of the process and time spent at university, and then with the help of some advisors, formulate a new life plan. You can still do great things in life!
In another post, I'll highlight some of the practical things I engaged in that have helped me along the way. In the mean time, please don't lose hope! Please don't give up! This set-back might be painful, but don't allow the pain hinder you. Instead channel it! All will be well!
"I don't have a gift..."
If something happened to my mouth, which meant I could never speak again, I would immediately turn to pen and paper, so I could motivate with my words. In fact, some of my greatest sources of encouragement have come from what I read, and not what was said, surprisingly.
Someone needs to hear this!
[An excerpt from my upcoming book on purpose…]
Because many of us have tied our gifts to activities, when we can't 'easily' perform popular activities like speaking publicly, playing sports, or playing an instrument, we automatically assume that we are not gifted.
Well, here’s a reminder…
The physical outlook of our gifts are heavily dependent on our environment, our exposure and the experience we are able to garner over time.
I speak publicly because for over 20 years, I have been in an environment where I personally observed my parents consistently, passionately and effectively, publicly communicate ideas as a large part of their vocation and career. That, as well as the fact that, my environments have provided me various opportunities to regularly speak (whether I wanted to or not); that public speaking is now a verified occupation, which has only really become the case in the last few decades, and that I’ve taken time to attend several courses over the years which have empowered me to motivate more effectively.
I could go on listing how different factors have played their part in the physical expressions of my different gifts, but we will be here for a very long time, so I won’t.
Through it all, one thing has become clear to me, and that is: my gifts are first intangible and immaterial at their core.
At the core of my public speaking (physical expression), I know that the real gift I posses is the gift of motivation! This could have manifested physically as a life coach, as a counsellor, as a comedian (because believe it or not, comedians also motivate and encourage), or even as an artist. The point remains. We need to…
Stop tying our gifts to physical activities!
If something happened to my mouth, which meant I could never speak again, I would immediately turn to pen and paper, so I could motivate with my words. In fact, some of my greatest sources of encouragement have come from what I read, and not what was said, surprisingly.
That said though, I definitely still prefer to motivate via spoken word, but you get my point!
So long as there is breath in you, there is at least one unique essence and virtue which you can channel positively, regardless of the cards life deals you. Everyone has a gift…We’ve just been looking at it wrong…
I played this over and over whilst I wrote the words you’ve just read. As you play it, allow your mind wander, whilst you meditate on the true nature of your gift(s). You are more than meets the eye!
