Power of Perseverance-Part I
>> Wednesday, February 12, 2014
I have been learning a
lot about perseverance. As an attribute love, kindness and giving get
a lot of attention. Not many people speak about the attribution of
perseverance, as it is also an important construct as the last three.
Only now am I realizing how important a trait to persevere.
I had a family member
tell me growing up I will never succeed and I will be a nobody
compared to his daughter. What did I ever do to them at 12 years old.
I once had a professor write an email to my Neropychopharmocology class
stating he was not writing to be biased but “these are the results
of the grades. All those with A's will make fine clinicians one day”.
I got a “D”. In graduate school the program director started the
first Accredited Counseling School in the area. Twenty students
applied and all were excepted except me, the only one with actual
experience. I could only assume it was due to me being the oldest of
the group. My job at the time could not keep me in the position
without at least an enrollment into a program for future licensure.
So I was transferred to a less interesting job.
Four years later, I
moved to Virginia leaving the comfort of everything and everyone I
knew. It took a year and a half to find a job. During my job
interviews one in particular stood out. She read about my situation
and appeared nice enough to have me interview at her private
practice. The interview appeared to be going well. I spoke to her of
my experience in agency work when she said this is not the place for
you. I was surprised to say the least and asked her what she meant by
the statement. She continued to say in private practice you have to
be able to take on independent activities like change a light bulb.
In my mind I said “What?” Out loud I stated, “I can change a
light bulb and even buy the bulb in order to change it.” Then she
said the haunting sentence, which came out of her mouth in slow
motion...... “You are not private practice material”. The
interview pretty much ended there. I didn't mention all the
rejections of love and likes throughout life, relative to everyone
else' s experience of rejection. And later, the responsibility of
raising children with my best friend.
(TO BE CONTINUED TOMOROW)
