Low-key, people be going through some real deep trials independently, and they still find a way to get through the house with a smile on their face.
There are so many patients in the hospital with terminal illnesses, family members with outrageous bills to clear out, and people in very uncomfortable situations with chronic pain, and still they find a way to stay positive.
When you think about it, we can only smile and move on with life. Happiness is a choice that must be made. Are you going to remain on the ground when life kicks you down, or are you going to stand up, dust yourself off, and keep moving?
I never understood the extent to which adulting was difficult until I became an adult. Then there are families with multiple children; both parents have to figure out a way to keep a roof over their heads, keep a hot meal on the table three times a day, and clothe their bodies.
Sometimes it feels like all we do is work. In the expression “work for a living,” it’s the opposite for most people. Some people live so that they can work. Paychecks cover bills and bills alone. It’s like they live to pay bills. It’s crazy.
The closest I’ve ever come to losing it—my mind included—is when I was in second year. I became distracted by certain things. I failed some exams and tests and was faced with the consequences of my reckless actions.
Third year rolled around. I was visibly scared and shaken to my core. For some personal reasons, I couldn’t open up to people like I wanted to. There also were no people to open up to. I became depressed and felt stagnant. That’s when I decided to move to the hostel.
In the hostel, I was constantly around people. That helped restore a bit of my sanity, and I made friends with people. I forced myself to relate with people and got involved with reading groups and helpful friends.
Eventually, I formed the habit of reading. I still kept the failures to myself, but I worked at clearing out the courses and moving forward. Sometime in my fourth year, I was having a discussion with a friend of mine; that’s when I let it all out.
I told him about the courses I had failed, and out of nowhere, tears came flowing down my face. I realized that I had suppressed more emotions than I had realized. It felt good in my soul to finally talk about it with someone other than myself.
I was in the process of correcting my mistake, and I was on the right track too. After that conversation, it felt like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders. I worked really hard on my studies and did a couple of late-night readings.
Eventually I was able to clear it out. I graduated with a decent GPA and with my classmates. At the beginning of my final year, I made a point to involve God in all my academic activities: exams, tests, presentations, projects, and study sessions. I committed the whole thing into God’s capable hands, and in the end, he came through.
If I am to leave you with words of encouragement, I’d say that no matter what circumstance you are currently in. No matter what caused it, or how you got to where you are, no matter the battle you are fighting, God is bigger.
Cling to him, do your best on your part, and you will be rewarded for your efforts eventually.
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