Steemit Philippines - Steemit Engagement Challenge Season 8 (Week 3) || “Silver Lining"

Introduction

Hello friends and famz. I trust we are keeping well. Welcome to the 3rd week of this beautiful season. I hope that this week bring us goodness. The topic before us is an interesting one which I personally connect with.

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Silver lining is a figurative phrase which means something good and advantageous coming out of an ugly and unpleasant situation.
I personally have a personal story along this line which I would love to share. I just hope this encouraged as many that comes across this post. Let get into this friends...

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My Experience

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When I came in contact with this topic, an experience came to mind of how I struggled to get to where I am today academically. It wasn't an easy journey I must say. My challenge started during my secondary school.

Of course as the first born, I was the main focus of my family, they wanted me to further at all cost. My parent were not the very rich type but we were comfortable and they were ready to do all within their capacity to see me further my education by gaining admission into the university.

My WSSCE examination came out deformed. It was as though my hope was dashed again. Yes! You heard me right, I used the word again because I had attempted GCE examination when I was in my penultimate year in school, SS2 to be precise. My parent bought the form for me hoping that I would clear it all even before getting to my final class which is SS3.

Well, I failed that woefully. Trust me, I read and prepared, I did all within my capacity but failed. I could remember I was offered expo at the exam center which we refer to here as examination malpractice but I declined, I really wanted to write the exam unassisted.

My WASSCE was deficient because I didn't have mathematics as a subject, in this part of the world, you need both math and English language for any discipline and there was no way I could combine result if I attempted to because mathematics was lacking in both result. I sat again the following year still couldn't make math. All other subject came out perfectly except math. I needed at least a C (credit) but I just couldn't.

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As at this point I had written about 4 Certification examination with no way forward. I still had problem with mathematics. I had plan giving up on school at this point. I could remember my dad sitting me down one night, telling me he doesn't understand me anymore.

He said to me, if you have any other thing you would like to venture into apart from schooling do let me know. I do not think I can keep spending on this anymore. He had really spent alot. As I was writing those exams,I was also applying for Jamb for the purpose of gaining admission into the university. What I do while registering is to apply using awaiting result and when the result finally comes, it doesn't still met the requirements.

My dad decided to give me one last chance and registered me for WAEC once again. This was my final attempt. I had already told myself that if I fail this, that would be all for schooling, after all, I had successfully finish my secondary education and am better that most of my colleagues out there. Nobody would even know I didn't further until I tell tell them because I speak well.

Although it quite painful and difficult to admit defeat but I had no choice. I had always wanted to be at par with my colleagues, I wanted us to journey through life at the same pace but as it stands, most of them have gone ahead of me. Some were in their 2nd and third year in the university while I was still struggling with Jamb and O'level WAEC.

I sat for the last exam my dad and myself promised me (lol) and it was the last indeed, I made it this time. The problem has been mathematics all along and this time mathematics came and that settled it. I decided to apply to the university but to cut the long story short,I ended up in a polytechnic...lol. I have never for once regretted it as there's always room to further...

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Does it affect you mentally or emotionally?

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Saying it affected me mentally or emotionally is an understatement, I was totally down. I was practically avoiding my friends and colleagues who had gone ahead of me academically. I avoid places where am likely to see them and when am caught in the web where I have no other option that to meet with them, I avoid discussion that will lead to our academic pursuit as it has a way of discouraging me and bringing down my self esteem.

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It was such an experience for me because I wrote 5 O'level certificate exam withing 3 years before I finally made it. Many wrote just once in their final class and made it. This was the painful aspect for me.

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What are the lessons you've learned in that particular situation?

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The lessons are indeed numerous, I focused on my failure for so long even after gaining admission but it dawned on me as time went by that it was all a blessing in disguise.
If that delay didn't occur, I wouldn't have met the beautiful souls that made my journey through my undergraduate days beautiful.
Today am a graduate and have just also passed out of the one year NYSC scheme.

I wouldn't have met these who are still instrumental to my growth and progress today. I wouldn't have learnt most of the things I know and do today. The delay brought so many blessing my way that I couldn't have imagined.

Suddenly I learnt to stop comparing myself with others. Our journey are quite different and our path in destiny are not the same. Your colleagues in class today might speed off ahead of you but that doesn't mean you won't get to that point as well.

The truth is you might get there very late but then your achievement will be the latest in town and then you will be celebrating even more for not giving up against all odd. That's how it works.

Do not forget, all thing work together for the good of those that love God even in the midst of their bitter and unpleasant experiences. Darkness may thrive through the night but light will definately shine in the morning.

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What is your outlook for the year 2023? What are your plans for your life this year?

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I am very positive about the new year, I've got alot line up for the year. The truth is it has never been by my power all these years. So I've decided to commit all my plans into His hands. It is man to propose or plan a thing but God disposes.

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This year is going to be fruitful in all areas, I have no doubt and it doesn't matter what comes may way as I begin to take bold step toward achieving my goal, I would remain positive because in every disappointment, there's a blessing.

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Conclusion

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When we take our time to look deep within even in the midst of those unpleasant situations, you would see that there are blessing embedded in it which you've overlooked. Let's not be carried away with what didn't work, maybe if it had work, you won't be any better but it didn't work and now you're better and stronger. Let's us learn to see the positive side of everything we go through.

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Thank you all for going through my post. I want to believe you enjoyed every bit of it. Do well to share with me in the comment section your thought about the write up. Just before I go, I would love to invite my friends @ruthjoe @josepah @harun19 @enamul17 to this contest. Gracias!

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Regards
@lhorgic♥️

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