You are not a mistake

Youth Focus with Dr Manners Msongelwa

“YOU are not a mistake” is a phrase that means you are valuable and was created intentionally. It can also mean that mistakes are a normal part of the learning process and don’t define you. Starting today don’t look down upon yourself. You are special!

Your parents divorced

This doesn’t make you a mistake. You were born for something. You were born with a gift. You are not a biological mistake. You can make it in life.

Put away all these negative thoughts and focus on your school work. Education is a powerful tool to redeem your destiny. It’s possible, very possible to become a successful person. Death of parents doesn’t define you as a mistake. You can make it in life. The journey starts now and it starts by taking your school work seriously.

Design a timetable that you follow every day. Read and revise past exam papers. Use your time wisely. Choose your friends wisely. Be disciplined and focus on your future.

Avoid all distractions such as drinking alcohol, smoking, taking drugs, relationships, pornography etc. Success is waiting for you. You have a disability and this doesn’t mean you are a mistake. Disability doesn’t mean inability. Greatness is inside you.

Many people with disabilities have achieved great success, including Jairos Jiri who was the first black person to establish support services and special schools in Zimbabwe, Stevie Wonder born with retinopathy of prematurity, which made him blind, Wonder became a pioneer and innovator in the music industry, Nick Vujicic born without arms or legs, Vujicic founded “Life Without Limbs,” an organisation that supports people with physical disabilities.

Negative self-talk, for example your body structure, complexion and height doesn’t define your future.
You might be slim and dark in complexion, but all this doesn’t define your tomorrow. Your future is determined by working hard and focusing on your future. Strive to be a person of value. This is only possible if you take your school seriously.

Past mistakes don’t make you a mistake. You might have dropped out of school because of pregnancy, you are repeating your O-level, you were expelled from school etc. Learn from these past mistakes and pick up the broken pieces. Remember no one is perfect, we learn from past mistakes.

You can become a successful person despite all the mistakes. Don’t focus on your flaws, rather your strengths.

Don’t compare yourself with anyone, run your own race. Don’t copy anyone, remain original. Learn as much as possible from others but don’t lose yourself. Discover yourself and your potential and work hard.
Remember, we learn from failure, not from success.

Dr Manners Msongelwa is an author, teacher and youth coach. He can be contacted on +263771019392