EXCUSES

Throughout my life, I had legitimate excuses, to sit back and do nothing with my life. But I am happy to say I didn’t take the bait.

I had an excuse to be mediocre, by the time I was 23 years old I went to get my school records. I received a stack of papers and boy was it interesting to read. I shed a few tears and laughs, that’s when I learned they had labeled me mentally retard. There were other labels, but this one was new. They even wrote about the time, I stared at the clock in third grade. I spent the afternoon staring at the clock because I didn’t want that last bell to ring.  That day my special education teacher had the translator call my father.  I got out of the line and was talking with another student. She said I was horse-playing. She had the translator call my father for just about anything. I hated when I had to leave my class to go to her class and I think she knew how I felt. Staring at the clock had nothing to do with a learning disability but instead fear of going home. My father worked two jobs so receiving a phone call from the school about my behavior just aggravated him. Watching the clock was more about my anxiety. I could have accepted those labels. All I ever heard was you don’t have to. We will give you more time to take that test. I know you probably think that’s helpful. If I had accepted the labels and what comes with those labels, I would not be the person I am today.  The world they wanted to create for me was completely limiting and crippling. I dropped out of 11^th grade with no real education. I eventually got a reading tutor and learned how to read. I went on to get my GED and went to nursing school. To start nursing school there is an entrance test and all through nursing school until you sit for the board you are tested.  The world I wanted didn’t have special privileges and accommodations. People’s lives would be in my hands. What was needed were critical thinking skills, and the ability to make sound judgments. I was given a pass, but internally I knew that pass wasn’t in my best interest. I decided to believe in myself when the school system found it easier to miseducate and label me.  Perhaps I could have received SSI with these types of labels the professional at the school gave me. But I couldn’t accept that for myself. I knew I deserved better even though no one told me that. The problem with me is I would rather choke on greatness than settle for mediocrity.

 I want you to be clear on one thing excuses will always be present in our lives. Some we will accept and most we should reject. We all have excuses the better question is will you allow excuses to stop you from being the person you want to be? Sometimes the only thing between us and our desires is an excuse. I can’t because I have kids. I can’t because I don’t have time. I can’t because I don’t have money. You must decide excuses are not going to stop you.