Don't Let Others Determine Your Future

A FORK IN THE ROAD
A few years ago, when my daughter was in high school, she came to a fork in her educational road. She was at that level of high school where she could enroll in a vocational program that could help her in her college career. I had never thought about my daughter getting into the program before that time, but I could see she was starting to become bored with school.

One day, I received information about the program and it sounded like a great way to get her started on her career path so I approached her with the idea of at least checking it out. She was a bit hesitant about it, but listened as I explained my thoughts about it. After talking to her in detail about the program, she decided to attend the informational session.

DISAPPOINTMENT
The day finally came when she was going to the school to visit and attend the program informational session. I couldn't wait until I got home from work that day. I was looking forward to her telling me what she'd learned and how excited she was. But when I got home, there was no excitement. In fact, it was quite the opposite - she was down and disappointed. When I asked what happened to make her feel that way, she explained that the current students in the program described how difficult the program was and really had nothing great to say about it. So to my dismay, she had changed her mind about enrolling in it.

MAKING A DECISION
Even though I felt awful for her, I calmly and patiently explained to her that she shouldn't make decisions based on the the experience of others. I also explained that her experience could be totally different than theirs and she may even really like the program. With a bit more coaxing, I got her to agree to at least try the program - even if only for one year. Once again, with hesitancy, she agreed to move forward.

SUNSHINE AND RAINBOWS
After my daughter got into the program, she soared from day one! Her confidence level skyrocketed along with her poise and professionalism. She not only enjoyed the program, she excelled and made great grades throughout the entire two years she was enrolled. Once she enrolled, she never looked back. She was even the only one that graduated with perfect attendance in her two year program - an accomplishment I really wanted her to strive for - and she accomplished it.

A LIFE LONG LESSON
That was the beginning of her exemplary study habits and she uses those same skills to this day. Two semesters ago, she received a perfect 4.0 and is now in two international honor societies. She's entering her senior year in college and just obtained a job in her career field. Part of the job is to pass periodic tests. Today, I spoke with her and she passed her first test!

She attributes that high school program she entered as being the catapault into her great study habits she now has. She continues to soar because of that program and I couldn't be prouder.

Just think - if she would have listened to others, she wouldn't have even gotten into the program, but here she is one accomplishment after another.

FOLLOW YOUR HEART
Don't let anyone else determine your future. I say that because there are so many times, I have read blogs where WA members are not supported by their family, friends, significant others, etc. for remaining here. They are told this is a scam and never going to work. Their heart is telling them to stay but others are telling them to go. I get so sad to read those types of blogs and when I read them, I say the same thing - follow your heart. If your heart is to be here in WA, then you should do it and give it all you have.

If you don't follow your heart, you will never know if this is a successful venture for you or not. Give it all you have to make this successful. If you have any doubts, think of my daughter. If she would have listened to others, she would never have taken the first step to be in that program that helped her confidence level so much today. Thank goodness she listened to me and not them.

I, too, was told by someone many years ago that I would never succeed in life, find love, have children, or be happy. I remember the day like yesterday. That person has since passed on and I don't want to speak ill of them, but that person was incorrect. I am very happy in my life with two beautiful children and a great husband who is the love of my life. It's hard not to listen to the nay sayers, but we just can't let what others say determine our future.

Keep marching ahead - onward and upward.

Have a great rest of your day/evening and weekend.

~ Yvette ~