On the first day of class one of my teachers said to draw five circles, one inside the other. Then he told us to start on the outer rung and label why we were in his college algebra class. I wrote “to get my math credits”. He then instructed us to say why we were doing that, in the ring next to it. I wrote “to get my diploma” then “so I can help people” followed by “because it’s my purpose” after which I simply put “God”. He then said what we had written in the inner most ring was the real reason why we are doing anything. He said to never forget that one thing that drives us, and don’t let anyone take that inspiration from us. God is the reason I strive to achieve and He is also the only reason why I am able to achieve my goals.
Since my junior year in high school I have known that I have a fascination with people and the human psyche. What I would do with this was unclear at the time. It started in my sociology class then my senior year with my first psychology class. My psychology teacher was needless to say not a traditional teacher. She was a woman who took guff from no man and would not be held down. She noticed that I was not the student I should be and decided to pushed me. She pushed me to the extent that I wanted out of her class. I would not realize, until later, that she would be one of the finest influences on my academic life I would ever have. Her lesson didn’t really take, until I would go to college and more out in the real world. The importance of school is beyond measure, a treasure that can not be appraised, it is the force that can make your house into a home.
Everyone knew what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives by our senior year of high school, that is, except for me. Still undecided on even what college I want to attend, my best friend told me about a small community college that he was going to for their music program. He told me that I could transfer my credits form that school to about any other school and it was one of the least costly schools in Iowa. Seeing how my parents aren’t simply paying for my college, this seemed like the place for me. Upon going to Southwestern Community College I met knew people, had new instructors that broadened my vision of our world and everything in it.
One day I went into a friend of mines’ room to find him in tears. I sparked up a conversation with him, trying to find out what was plaguing him. I tried to put his problem into perspective to show him that he could handle it because he was a strong individual. I know his problem wasn’t solved right then and there but I felt as though I played a positive role in his tribulations. This is the moment I knew what God wanted me to do. He had sent me to Earth to help people and be a beacon for His light to shine through. God’s beauty, love, and grace knows no bounds and will carry me through the high expectations I have set for myself, one of which being my academic goals.
Talking to people in the field of psychology, my advisor, and doing individual research, I found out that in order to do what I need to do I must go to graduate school to get at least a master’s degree. Coming from a middle class family, this seemed like a unreachable goal. But the x-factor here that will able me to reach this height is Christ and the strength he puts in me to achieve the unachievable. I try to walk through life remembering and calling on the strength of Christ all the while telling myself “God gave it to me, nobody’s taking it”.
Until next time my Kung-Fu Companions...
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