Do You Have What It Takes?

Before I became an author, I was a teacher. I specialized in French and was taking classes for school and college-goers. We were a happy bunch, always laughing, learning, and believing. However, when students came in, they were down in the dumps. They were told that the French language was tough and they weren’t going to get through. Many were ready to give up, but some good soul told them there was a teacher who could turn them into winners.

I dealt with the so-called failures because I was a failure once and knew how it felt to be shunned. So, when students broke down, my heart felt heavy. I was taken back to those times when I’d broken down to the Higher Power and told Him how I was feeling. Needless to say, I was never the same person after that because I believed He was going to help me, and He did. Mysteriously He brought events to my notice, fired me up with hope and lifted me to where I am today. So, coming back to my students, I knew He could fire them with enthusiasm. I thought it was only right to be a channel.

When someone tries to put you down, the first thing to do is ask yourself whether you will allow the person to rejoice on your account. If the answer is no, you take the next step and tell the person politely that he is entitled to his opinion as you are entitled to yours. Then, walk away with your head held high. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. Only God can judge you. He is your creator, and you are His creation – PERFECT in His eyes.

If your answer is yes, you need to introspect and find out why you allow others to walk over you. It would probably go back to your childhood, where you felt like a frog amid beauty and splendor. You might have been born in a hostile environment and had taken on the load of the family’s resentments and small-mindedness. You might have been told only the affluent could afford to live happy and successful lives, and you bought it. So, every time you are put on the spot, you think everyone is better than you. 

Nothing is further from the truth.

You can be what you want to be, do what you want to do, go where you want to go, achieve what you want to achieve, provided you sow the seed of desire, water it with faith, fertilize it with God and work passionately. Then watch how the tree grows, the sweet fruit it bears, the numerous branches it puts out, and the shade it offers.

My students didn’t believe in themselves because their teachers decreed their future. They accepted it. Naturally, failure followed. So, when a student came to me and recounted what his teacher declared, the first thing I did was to undo the damage. That student needed to empty those useless suppositions about his inabilities. Then I’d get him to believe he has what it takes to reach the stars and show him how it can be achieved. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth every hardship. Needless to say, I never had one student who failed. They were astonished by their performance and never ceased to be grateful. Wherever they are today, I’m sure they are doing exceedingly well, and those teachers who decreed their future are probably rolling in their graves.