It has been a humbling journey of learning and growth. And while the road ahead may seem to be long, I walk with unwavering belief that one day I’ll make it. I envision the day I’ll write my story, as a testament to the transformative power of human connection and shared experiences that shaped our connection that serve as a pivotal juncture, setting the stage for personal growth.
Amidst the setbacks that defined my recent years, a dialogue emerged within me, a conversation with the shadows of adversity. Seeking guidance, I turned to this amazing, intelligent lady, driven by her passion for empowering youth, my mentor, Susan Khasoa. As we continue to celebrate International Women’s Day and the collective power of world pulse, I’m thrived to celebrate her.
Sometimes we sadly forget to appreciate and wonder are we becoming less human or what? I think that feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. I may not be where I wanted to be but I’m thankful to her because I’m not where I used to be.
Life begins with one step outside the comfort zone, that faith of taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. Pride is piece of us that holds us back until we realize that we need help sometimes. On January 19th, that day still lingers in my mind. I reached out for guidance and she was so friendly, pleasant and easy to talk to. We met by chance and turned into friends and now our destiny keeps us close to each other. Sharing my aspiration and fears, “adversity is a stern teacher but it molds character and resilience. Embrace the challenges for they have the power to shape a future beyond your current imagining,” she advised. Her words a beacon of hope in the midst of my uncertainties.
She introduced me into coding, a path that would redefine my identity. I embarked to a journey of reshaping my future. It’s a journey of resilience and self-discovery. It’s a testament to my ability to overcome the shadows of the past and forge a path of my own. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She believed I could do it when I believed that coding is a daunting task, reserved only for the tech wizards among us. She believed in me when I had that fear of not being smart enough, that fear of overwhelming number of coding languages, the fast-paced change in tech, and most hesitant to start learning due to the fear of giving up on the way. She encouraged me that coding can be challenging but its more accessible than it looks, with the right mindset. Her words weaving encouragement into the fabric of my evolving journey.
She encourages me that learning coding is a journey, so should be patient with myself. Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
As I faced the crossroads of my academic pursuits and personal struggles, the dialogue with my mentor became a compass guidance, guiding me towards newfound determination. The journey is never ending, there’s always going to be growth, improvement, adversity—Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It’s a journey of discovery, there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair. I’m focusing on the journey not the destination. Joy is not found in the finishing an activity but in doing it.
Step outside that comfort zone, learn that code, be inspired like I did. A feeling of giving up may loom but step forward anyway. I accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept on not trying, failure is part of the process. You just learn to pick yourself up. It’s a kind of memory that tells us that what we’re now striving for, was once nearer and truer and attached to us with infinite tenderness. Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. I like to strive not because there were any guarantees of success but because the act of striving is itself the only way to keep with life, but we must not live on hope, let's step beyond expectation and remain resilient.
Coding requires empathy, practice and willingness to invest time and effort. It has made my life more fulfilling. Learning something each day about how to juggle the game is fun. I am most grateful to Susan for unconditional love and support and immense growth.
Graduating from university, becoming that tech wizard seems like a far-unfetched dream, but one day I will be living that dream. I will ensure everyone feels valued and heard, recognizing everyone matters especially those who need support the most. I’m going to keep making music that carries the secret that pure human connection is liberty. I’m going to turn off the sounds that drag people down to the pit of despondency.
I am genuinely appreciative to Susan for her thoughtfulness in making this connection happen. It is an excellent opportunity for me and I'm excited about its potential. I look forward to more guidance and support. Your support means a lot to me and I am committed to maximizing this opportunity. I’m lucky to call you a friend. It feels like words aren’t enough to express my gratitude for all your guidance. I never thought I’d have so much fun learning coding.
By FAITH MULI, Second Year Student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies at Chuka University
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
No comments
Post a Comment