FEEL GOOD FRIDAY:
Have you read the story of Khadijah Williams? Ms. Williams is now completing her first year at Harvard University in Boston. Her story of determination and mental discipline is not only inspiring but a model for all of us to follow. She grew up living in numerous homeless shelters and obviously around some less than stellar people and circumstances. She talks about spending hours at the public library feeding her mind with things that challenged and uplifted her. I can relate. I used to have stacks of them under my bed that I'd checked out - sometimes forgetting how many I had but I almost always had a book in hand.
She also seems very positive and humble. She didn't let this opportunity slip by either worrying about rescuing other people for had she "drowned" how could she have been of any benefit to anyone else? How many of us have made excuses about the things we could not do? How many of us have had moments we just didn't believe we could do things based out of fear? I know I have! I think she had an angel on her shoulder protecting her growing up...but don't we all in some way? I think we all have obstacles that present themselves in our lives. There's a point where we have the opportunity to reassess and can move on. Don't let it pass you by. As human beings we're far more resiliant than we recognize sometimes. If we seek help and are willing to put the work into things I don't see why we can't achieve things beyond our wildest dreams - especially those of us who live in the so-called developed countries. For the most part our basic needs are being met. We don't have to travel miles for clean water for example.
Let this be an moment of encouragement for all of us as we continue the journey of our lives! There's a very famous expression one of my teachers used to have hanging on the wall in her classroom: TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Believe It and Live It!!
7 comments:
I saw this episode of Oprah and it look like this girl is happy and i'm glad she made it to Harvard. Many kids in her situation don't make it and will have a life of living in and out of shelters. She's an encouragement to everyone.
The Misses: I'm trying this from my new Blackberry and I'm in love! Seriously though I'm glad somebody finally commented here. Somehow positive is less sensational. I haven't received as much as a peep compared to yesterday's post!
I am very happy for this young woman!
If she can move forward with her life in such a positive way giving the tremendous obstacles she faced, then there truly is no excuse for most of us to not be living to our fullest potential.
The power is within all of us, but it takes discipline (delayed gratification), hard work and being willing to set goals in order to have a roadmap to achieve them.
I just changed jobs (for my mental health... I started divesting off of the Matrix and I had to leave my other job) but as soon as I'm back on my feet, I'm going to contribute to the fund set up for her. She's made it to Harvard but she has a long road ahead of her still.
Karen: Happy Friday. You're right it does take discipline to achieve. I'm relieved more comments have been posted.
KM: Nice to know more of us are getting out and moving up! I'd dare say Ms. Williams will surpass us all - as long as she avoids a DBR type. She seems to know what's up though. I'm just watching and learning because what she's done is next to impossible for blacks from her generation in particular. Would she have been as focused as a child of privilege? Have a great weekend.
Faith,
The whole issue of "priviledge" is provocative in and of itself.
I will venture to say, we learn more, strive more when there are obstacles to overcome. Hardship does build character.
There are those of us, who will do well no matter what but there others that without the "necessity" of having to strive to achieve something, it becomes to easy to be mentally lazy and take to many things for granted.
Just my take on it...
This is an awesome inspirational story! Thanks for sharing this.
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