Don’t Cry When Things Don’t Go Your Way

If you feel that things are not going your way, celebrate because the adversity can be a way for you to discover your strengths.

You might have aspired to play professional baseball, but had a injury that derailed your dreams.

Or wanted to work at a prestigious company, but they did not take any interest in you.

Though they are “devastating” events, it was a blessing in disguise because you were meant to do more with your life.

When I started college late in 2003 at 22 years old, I felt that I was behind everyone who were about to graduate with their college degrees.

I was thinking that if I had started college immediately after moving to Huntsville, Texas, then I would have been able to graduate at the same time as the others.

I had made up my mind that I was going to try and graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree as fast as I could.

Though I enjoyed college, making friends and learning my second language as Spanish major, I was constantly comparing myself to others who were making money in their jobs because of their degrees while I was working in the fast food industry during my time as an undergraduate.

When I finally graduated in 2009 from Sam Houston State via Lone Star College (gained Associate Degree in 2007), I thought I was going to join the work force because of the degrees.

However, I was wrong as I had graduated in the middle of the “Great Recession” and I was looking for work because I had quit the last fast food job.

I was angry, feeling sorry for myself and blaming people because I thought if I had only started college before 2003, I would not have been in this position in looking for a job.

At that moment thanks to my parents, I understood that I had a lot to be thankful for because I had achieved my college degrees despite graduating high school with a 1.9 G.P.A. that prevent most people from attending college.

If I had graduated in 2003, I would have missed out on the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in public relations, journalism, television, and radio.

Also, I would have missed out on covering Sam Houston State football consecutive national championship appearance in Frisco, Texas, the baseball team winning three consecutive Southland Conference Championships and three at-large berths in the NCAA tournament and of course, the Bearkat bowling team winning the school’s first ever, NCAA Division 1 National Championship.

So celebrate your failures because they are the lessons that will guide you to your eventual goals that will allow you to make the world a better place.

First appeared in Vallano Media.