Inspiration by Experience

Things don't always turn out as per your expectations. Like you probably can't succeed in your dream business venture or score a D or E in your favourite subject at school. When such things happen they leave you crestfallen and frustrated. That's when you need that shimmering star, an inspiration in your life to get you back on track. Then it can be your friends, family, a video, a song, a quote, a book, or an inspirational story from someone else's life. But sometimes nothing works to pull you out from distress. You yourself have to do something that will relax you and motivate you to pull up your socks and get working to achieve new heights.

I am good at oration and elocution and due to these qualities I frequently get selected for competitions. Once again it was time for a speech giving and debate competition. But it was a unique one this time - greater, better - and with an incredible learning experience. It was different, it was the MUN. MUN is nothing but the Model United Nations where students are delegates or diplomats of the branches of the United Nations - namely WHO, UNESCO etc. With me there were other students of my school. We were all 'DIPLOMATS' now - some of FIFA, some a part of SOCHUM, - I was a delegate of the World Health Organization, popularly known as the WHO. Model UN is an amazing platform for students to showcase their debate and oration skills. As a representative of a country, each delegate has to present their country's position, problems and solutions for them in relation to the agenda which is varied each year. There were two MUNs in line this time - the UNIMUN and the BCSEMUN. UNIMUN was earlier and then followed the BCSEMUN.

It all started with collecting information about the assigned country - USA for UNIMUN and Iran for BCSEMUN. I had to prepare 'Position Papers' for UNIMUN - USA first. As it was my first time I was bewildered as to what has to be done, how is the information to be collected. But I had taken up the challenge and now had to cross all the hurdles that came in my way. I browsed through several websites and tips for how to get your position paper ready but after all that I finally put together a not so bad position paper.

Now making a position paper was not the only task. I also had to buy a 'western business attire' - blazer, shirt and trousers. As it was a Model UN conference I had to dress up in accordance so that the decorum of the conference was maintained.

For the UNIMUN we had to attend the conference in pairs. But unfortunately my partner was detected of dengue just before the conference and was hospitalized. Knowing I had to perform alone I was afraid but still I gathered courage and was ready to debate and speak. Finally the D-day arrived. We headed to the Universal School. We waited in a room till we were called for an 'Opening Ceremony'. All of us were called gradually. I was tensed - afraid, felt so demotivated and even more because there was no partner with me as with my other friends. All my friends wished good luck to me with full spirit. With their best wishes I felt more confident - I felt a spark glistening inside me! I could crack it!

I performed, not so well though. I realized that I lacked information and so couldn't speak too much. Keeping that in mind, for the BCSEMUN I collected more information and prepared the position paper and research binder more carefully.

The BCSEMUN was a three day conference. On the first day I got a Rs. 10 note signed by the two chair people and the director of the WHO committee. The note was entitled 'Best Speech - First Day'. I couldn't get an award but one of my chairperson appreciated me saying that she told about my speech to her mother, a member of the original WHO, and she said that I spoke like the Prime Minister of Iran would. Those lines encouraged me to take part in MUNs more often.

Failure came my way for the first time but I decided and also did better the second time. I experienced the true meaning of the quote 'Experience is the best teacher' and learnt that 'Failure is an opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely'. Failures will come but keep the courage to reply them in the language of success!!