pict: @toyoufromsteph
Ever since I was in school, I knew I had a burning passion to achieve something. I always topped my class, actively participated in various non-academic activities, and was often recommended by teachers to represent the school in competitions and events.
I didn’t always win, but I didn’t let failure bring me down or dampen my spirits. Just being part of it made me incredibly happy.
Who wouldn’t be thrilled with such opportunities? I’m sure my peers who had similar experiences felt the same way.
However, things changed when I entered college.
My interest in campus activities waned, and I no longer felt excited about participating in competitions, representing the college, or even attending departmental events.
I felt exhausted and disinterested in all activities. After classes, I would go straight home, finish my assignments, and focus on my part-time job.
I lost interest in organizing events, joining organizations, and managing new student orientations.
At that time, I thought, “This is just a waste of time.”
But eventually, I realized that I was the one wasting time…
By the sixth semester, I found myself far from the expectations I had set for that stage.
The turning point was when I started drafting my CV, knowing that in less than a year I would enter the workforce. I was confused about what to include besides my name and education.
What could I be proud of? Who could I ask for advice?
I started to worry. What if I couldn’t get a job? What if I amounted to nothing after graduation?
What had I achieved by the sixth semester?
Why did I have nothing to show besides a satisfactory GPA?
Why didn’t I have any other accomplishments to be proud of?
I cried for several months, regretting how I had wasted so much time instead of developing myself. Every day, my mind was consumed with thoughts of how to change my situation and plan my steps toward starting a career.
I clearly remember, during a moment of deep despair, I accidentally listened to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston’s song “When You Believe.”
I firmly believe that God has many ways to guide us. I paid close attention to these lyrics:
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve?
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe
These lyrics awakened and slapped me into reality.
Then I played this song while working on my thesis, drafting my CV, attending classes, and even now at work when I find tasks challenging. This song continues to inspire me.
Since then, I’ve gathered the courage to start changing my life.
In short, this song motivated me to change my circumstances. It convinced me that whatever lies ahead, I must keep moving forward.
The 1% effort I put in every day is the step that opens many doors of opportunity.
As James Clear stated in his book, Atomic Habits:
“Habits are the bridge between goals and accomplishments.”
I believe that the habits we cultivate, no matter how small, have a greater impact than we might think. The habit of daring to seize opportunities, believing in oneself, and maintaining an optimistic attitude are qualities that cannot be developed overnight.
We don’t live in a fairytale world filled with fantasies.
Life is indeed full of imperfections.
The courage we possess does not always lead to success, but it creates experiences.
Experiences of failure, getting back up after being laughed at, re-strategizing, and enjoying the ups and downs of life.
For without these, how else would we learn?
