Everyone has that revelational moment. Where they just sat down and it hit them like a moving truck that you become the person of your choice. It all rests with you. Whoever you turn out to be, rests with you.
Interlude
Happened on a rainy night five years ago . I remember perfectly well. The torrents poured with unforgiving pressure and the skies roared with clashes of thunder. I was reading a book– a novel– when the power came back on. I proceeded to turn on the television as it was rare for NEPA to give us light during such heavy downpour. Mom was already asleep.
A show came on and this man literally started with, "...if your grandparents are poor, it's not your fault. If your parents are poor, it's not your fault. But if you end up being poor, it's all on you... No one can make decisions for you. You should understand that your success and future has nothing to do with anybody. It's all you."
End of interlude
I don't know what happened but it was like a hard kick to the gut. I was just 16. I was still in Highschool when I stumbled across this talk show. I don't think anything remained the same. Even if the change wasn't drastic, I felt that something shifted within me. I hungered for more. I yearned to be a better person.
When was the first time you took your destiny into your own hands - What did you do, what made you do so, what was the outcome and would you change anything looking back in hindsight?
The first time I took my destiny into my hands was when I landed my first unofficial job. I worked during the holiday. I told myself, I would be the one to liberate my family. By the time I turned 17, I cut off a lot of people from my life. Mostly bad influence. I wanted to make a difference. I went on to read books that built my mindset and I also went on to identify my purpose. This was my turning point.
A lot changed from then. While I did face a lot if criticism and isolation, I didn't care. Like the man had said, my success is all on me so their opinion doesn't matter. Till today, rumors still circulate about me, mostly from my so called friends, but I don't let it bother me. I've been steadily building my life and improving. While I'm not where I want to be, I'm far from where I used to be.
Image belongs to me
Looking back, I wouldn't change anything. The gold has to go through the fire to be purified. Whatever it is I went through, I came out strong and I would not forget the times I fell. I didn't have the luxury of rehab or therapy till middle 2020 thanks to the help of someone. I still came out strong. No more urges or impulsive behaviors. I seem to think things through now and I have a clear vision. This is what I work towards daily.