Tell me I can’t do something
I’ll smile, and show you I can.
My whole life people have doubted me. From my teachers to my family. My friends to my foes and even strangers I don’t even know.
I'll smile as I show you.
At first I believed them. I’m “disable”. I was born with “dyslexia” they said he’ll never be as smart at the others. They are right.
But I had a secret worrier on my side.
Wanda Lee.
My grandmother didn’t believe what the “Professionals” had to say at my school. She knew I was smart. She was the first to see; my potential.
She found a tutor.
Barbra Long
Barbra; a seasoned teacher had see it all. And she was passionate about her work, her students and her legacy.
She tutored me in reading, writing and vocabulary every day for a year.
I was improving, my confidence rose. “I am smart; I can.” I began to say For the first time.
Years went by. I graduated elementary school. “Wait, they said I couldn’t do this?.”
I grew; my confidence rose.
I passed the EUG and EUCs. They said I couldn’t?.
I made it to high school. Something “They said I couldn’t do”
No more will I believe what others think about my abilities.
Now I decide what I can and can not do.
And I did. Made it through high school. Attended The University of Greensboro at North Carolina.
I did it.
I am the captain of my own ship. I shall steer my boat in the direction that gives me most fulfillment. And when the winds try to push my boat astray I shall lower my flasks and paddle with my oars made of grit and I will grind my way forward.
You can do it too.
Stop listening to uninformed advice. My brother once told me the best piece of advice. “Only take advice from people who you wish to be like”
and if those you wish to be like tell you you can’t.
Smile and show them.
You are more powerful than you can imagine. So imagine your best self, your most fulfilled self and then walk.
