09/13/2024
Small in stature and big on courage!
When I was 12 years old, just about to graduate from Primary School in South Africa, I faced an experience that has stuck with me for years. It was the day of our annual athletics competition, a much-anticipated event where all the students were divided into four Houses ( there was Zebra, Giraffe, Sable and Buffalo. I was in Zebra) or Teams to compete against one another.
My excitement was palpable as I joined my classmates on the field, buzzing with the thrilling spirit of competition and camaraderie. As we gathered, we were instructed to line up from the shortest to the tallest within our respective Houses. As a member of Standard 5, the highest grade in the school, I proudly took my place in the line.
However, as the teachers began organizing us, I found myself being pushed further and further back. Despite being at the topmost level of the school academically, my height — or rather, lack thereof — meant I was soon standing among the first graders, the girls who were only 6 years old.
Each time I was gently instructed to move back, my heart sank a little more. The excitement I had felt for the day's events was quickly overshadowed by a gnawing sense of embarrassment and insignificance. There I was, on the verge of graduation, yet I felt so small — both literally and figuratively.
I remember looking around and seeing the other students whispering and exchanging glances. My confidence took a real blow that day, and I felt as though my stature determined my worth. It was an incredibly humbling moment, and one that left me feeling vulnerable and exposed, as if my worth had shrunk to match my physical height.
But looking back, I realized something profound. That experience, painful as it was, taught me an essential lesson: our value isn't determined by our appearance, but by our actions, our spirit, and our resilience. It compelled me to build inner strength and embrace my unique qualities.
Today, I carry that memory with me, not as a scar, but as a testament to my growth and courage. It's a reminder that challenges and moments of feeling 'small' can shape us into stronger, more empathetic and also determined individuals. This story is a part of who I am, and it fuels my passion to help others find their confidence and embrace their true selves, no matter the external circumstances.
Do you have any particular events in your early years that shaped the way you viewed the world or how you thought the world viewed you, that you have realized was askew?
