Sometimes people say things to us intending to make us feel worthless but unknowingly to them, what they said might eventually be the reason why we are standing strong and pushing forward in life.
When I was still working in a factory, I use to be a very punctual person because I don't like it when someone insults me so to avoid that from my supervisor, I always get to work on time and give my best at work.
Along the line, I got admission into a tertiary institution. It was per-time studies because I was funding my education. I always work on weekends which contradicts my studies time so I took a bold step to inform my supervisor he said I should talk to the shift manager about it so that if I don't come to work I won't get queries for it.
I got to his office and explained everything to him. He said something that I might never forget in my entire life just because I asked him for permission to skip weekend work since we get paid based on the number of days we work in a month.
He said, "education is not everything".
And I replied, "but I still have to get the certificate for future purposes".
He replied, "what course are you doing?".
I said, "computer science?".
He replied again, "is that a course?".
As if that was not enough, he went on to hurt my feelings but that same words kept me going, and never looked back.
He said, "am sure you can't find a job with this course when you are through".
I was down emotionally after the conversation but I couldn't do anything than to prove to him that I know what I want and that I am going to make it.
Years passed and I finished my program in school. I resumed back to my weekend work and he still reminded me of what he said when I gained admission, and that prompted me to look for work with my results.
I couldn't get a job, and I noticed that the factory is not functioning properly like before so I took another step to learn hand work. Immediately my shift manager find out about the work he said to me again, a hairdresser is not a befitting job for you so stop wasting your time before it's too late.
He is the kind of person who loves to talk and flaunt his powers.
This time, his words got to me as if the man was sent to disturb me emotionally but I didn't let his negativity get to me. Later, the factory folded up but before that happened, the same shift manager recommended me and some other hardworking people in the factory to another branch so that we can continue our work there.
I refused the offer because I wanted to focus on my handwork and prove to myself that I made the right decision but he wasn't happy because I didn't take his offer so he said to me again, you might not get a better opportunity out there. The factory work suits you and you can get promoted in a few years.
This time he's no longer my boss so I replied to him, by God's grace I will succeed in whatever I do outside this company.
Learning work is so tiring but each time I remembered all that man said to me, I feel my energy had been restored and I succeeded in the learning phase.
When I finally posted my shop, he was the first person that congratulated me for a job well done so I said to him, "this is my first step to becoming successful in life".
He replied, "yeah, you surely did great and I wasn't expecting this quite early".
Some people are just like that, they discourage you to progress just because they want to keep you around them because of how valuable you are to them. They look down on someone because they want that person to do whatever they want.
Some words are powerful to the extent that you will never forget them and they will keep you up as if you heard them just yesterday, all thanks to my shift manager for his hurtful words that helps me to keep going.
