Pathways. According to Oxford Dictionaries (www.oxforddictionaries.com), a pathway is “a way that constitutes or serves as a path. a way of achieving a specified result; a course of action.” Whatever you call it or how you define it, this concept of a journey or path through life is always on our minds. The future is always present in our thoughts and the decisions we make and how we spend our time impacts our futures. I mention this because in order to overcome the obstacles I faced and start working to my full potential, I had to overcome my own mind and find validation within myself. As I have said, I was my own worst enemy and I want to help those of you who see the same things happening in your life.
As I slowly started my downward course, thoughts of my future and what I would do crashed into my mind. I knew that even though college was not the only option for having future success, I knew that it was a very helpful and crucial process. I also definitely knew that failing in college would do nothing but hurt me in the future. Even as these thoughts filled my mind though, I started to rationalize them. I would tell myself that I would be fine, that I didn’t need anyone’s help, that I just needed to suck it up and work harder. But while this helped me for a time, that motivation would go away and I would fall back into the same routines and patterns of failure and self sabotage. So for me it took me hitting rock-bottom, my point-break, to realize that I needed help – that I could not do it alone.
I share this because I do not want you to reach that place. Now I don’t want you to think that I think you are weak or unable to succeed on your own. I am sure that all of you are amazing individuals who have done and will continue to do amazing things in the future. Because of this I don’t want the struggles you may be going through now to hurt your potential in the future. I only mean to say that letting people in to help you is not a sign of weakness but just a way and a means to help you through the struggle. As Desiree Adaway, an expert in helping companies succeed, says, “Here is a secret: One of the fundamental building blocks of grit is understanding that asking for, and accepting help, does not equate to weakness. It is really a strength. A strength that expands your network and opens you up to increased opportunities.”
This was so true for me personally. One thing that hurt me the most, when I realized that I was just continuing to fail, was my pride. It was something that made me feel worthless, and not good enough. But when I finally opened up and let the people in that really could help me, I learned that I was not worthless and that seeking and accepting help was something that I needed to do and would only help me in the future.
So here we have come full circle to the future. As a concept, the future is daunting and something that can be scary. But it does not have to be. The combined effort of ourselves and those we are willing to let help us is amazing and powerful. Just remember that we are stronger as a group more than we are as individuals. Also, always remember to stay awesome and keep keeping it real.
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About the author:
Lee M. Class of 2017 | Transfer Major: Communication and English Spring 2016 Blog Theme: Struggling on the Pathway to Success - Thoughts of C Average Student
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