Hi guys,
I just received an inspirational email an thought about posting it, but then decided to tell you about an achievement that really means alot to me.
My parents divorced when I was 10 and a couple of years later my mum met my (now) step-father. He's a real cowboy and as country as they come. He was born and raised in the bush and before I met him I think he'd only been to the city once!
Anyway, when he met my mum he was 40 years of age and could not read or write. He didn't live near a school so didn't get the opportunity until he was in 3rd grade. By that time the others had already learnt the basics so he was well behind. He was always made to feel as though he was dumb and after three years of struggling (and probably many days absent) he decided to give up. He worked on horse and cattle properties and seemed to get by, always thinking he was dumb, and always trying to hide the fact that he couldn't read from others. He is a proud man and it must have been tough when I was just starting high school and he would have to get my mother or myself to write things out for him (ie, forms, etc). Over the next 20 years my mum taught him a few basics.
Anyway, at 60 years of age when most people are ready to retire he decided he wanted to have one more go at this education thing. He enrolled in TAFE and worked extremely hard at completing his School Certificate (Year 10 Certificate). I can only imagine how tough it must've been going in there for the first time.
Well he passed and I was so proud!
I always use this as inspiration to draw upon when I think things are tough.
Ray
My new book:
Winners Do What Losers Don't