I remember, many moons ago my history teacher told me I didn’t have the potential to excel at A Level despite me being an intelligent student and having passed O Level fantastically.
I never did understand why she didn’t believe in my proven potential and her being a influential person in my life, her views and expectations, or lack thereof, mattered. Looking back at it now, in my attempt to make sense of it all, I ask myself whether it was because I was a shy reserved girl that just wanted to be swallowed up by a hole anytime anything remotely confrontational looked my way. I was far from being a popular student and perhaps my invisibility gave her the perceived license to knock me down. Often times it’s easy to overlook the gifts of the wall flower child because they don’t stand out and we can’t imagine them being anything greater than their current being.
That conversation is still deeply embedded in the depths of my soul. And for many years, it was one of a few things that contributed to my continual second guessing myself.
The words we hear from those around us have the capacity to shape narratives of who we become but our attitude and approach to life has just as much impact if not greater on the same and have the ability to raise us above other people’s expectations of us.
We all have the potential to become better versions of ourselves despite our upbringing, other peoples sentiments about us and what ever other excuses we often use to avoid the work needed to excel. It’s all about attitude and reminding ourselves to rise up against the odds.
And for those that may be interested, I went on to pass my A levels with flying colours including an A in History.
Words matter. Attitude conquers.
Olga
Olga Terera 