I have had my share of bad situations in my life. The worst being verbally and physically abused. Somehow, those abuse left me with very low self-esteem. I was a very lonely teenager, I pretty much kept to myself, had very few friends. During my freshman year in high school, out of the blue I decided that the only way I was going to get away from my unpleasant situation was to do well in school. I figured this will help me get a scholarship to college. That decision was the turning point of my life. I never looked back. I excelled in every class except for math. I hated math. I did manage to graduate with high GPA, and thus was giving a nice scholarship to go attend college away from my unpleasant home environment.
Now in college, I thought things were going to be just grand. I was on top of the world. Much to my dismay, life decided to hand me another curb ball. This time this ball was thrown at me like a speeding bullet. I had no time to duck or escape. No one , or nothing prepared me for the racial tensions I was subjected to. Some of the students quit college all together after being subjected to such racial discriminations.
I can be very stubborn, I decided enough was enough and I was determined to leave with my college degree. I prayed a lot and was able to put up with some unpleasant rantings. In the end I got my degree. The most intruiging thing of all, was my junior and senior year. God really blessed me with the wonderful Sister Marie- Helene. She was a nun from France. She loved me and took me under her wings. With her herlp I was able to apply to the University of Syrucuse's study abroad program. I ended up getting a scholarship with them. The rest is history.
I am here today, because I made a mental decision that no matter what curve balls are thrown at me I will find a way to make the best of every situation. It is always too easy to concentrate on the negatives and let life beat you to a pulp. As for me , myself and I I will move forward always with a willing spirit to find ways to come out a VICTOR NOT A VICTIM!!!!!!
Many blessings to all.
It does seem that, in some ways, we had a similar upbringing. I also found math a real puzzle once it got beyond adding, subtracting, multiplication and division which I was good at. Thank you, Nicole. Love and peace and best wishes,
Regis
Warmest regards ...
Reginald V. Johnson