Don't Give Up No Matter What!

Today, I write to encourage each person not to dare give up regardless of the number of times you fail. I know that failure exposes one's limitations and incapacities-it sends home the message that we are not good and it is often demoralising, it can cause seclusion and bitterness. But it can also reveal your weaknesses so that you can build up on them and become even stronger. Recently, I have been sourcing the web in a bid to find a supervisor who could lead/coach me on with my academic pursuit, but got several responses which reveal that my research idea is fantastic, but the academicians have limited expertise in the subject area. Letter upon letter, I was told that the research area is "super exciting", "interesting", "a wonderful project", but they could not offer their knowledge on the subject as they have different topic expertise even though my research appears to resonate with their area of interest. I have been bitter about it because deep in me I know this research is long overdue and someone has to do it not just for Britain and France, but also Africa. I started to allow thoughts run down my head because of some works I have been exposed to in the past. I thought that maybe it was my name; this strong African name 'Ngehndab' (But I love my name so much so that I will not change it for anything) I thought my name could be hampering my progress because I had read the book Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by by Steven D. Levitt (Author), and Stephen J. Dubner. I began to lay doubts on my own potential disregarding the appraisal the project had received from over 5 professors at different top ranking institutions based in the UK. I gave into the thoughts of defeat which crept into my inner core. My inner core is the place of peace, and sanity...nothing should disturb it no matter the intensity of the problem. I don't allow things get into it because that will mean several days of withdrawal, sleeplessness and stress. I was tired of the positive remarks, I wanted positive results and so I took to my Bible and started praying and reading out some Psalms every early morning. My Bible is the place where I tap hope, and patience. I resolved to keep going with praying and reading out a verse in the book of Psalms every morning. Today, I woke up to find an email stating, "what a wonderful project!". It brought a smile to my face and after all, I wasn't suppose to get bitter and upset. But until this morning, I had made up my mind to not worry until a door opens. Sometimes, the doors could bolted, but persistent knocking, and improvement on the knocks could change things for you. So, in whatever you do, keep knocking, if you knock and the door is not opened, don't think like me that it is because you are African, you are from this or that background, just sit back, look at what could be the problem, do a rework, upgrade your skill, let your abilities speak, and don't forget to pray. I know deep within that there is a greater energy that favours those who work hard and pray.