Its tittle was, “Think Big, Live Big.” Though you have read the story before, please read again. It has changed my life. Just before reading it, read my aftermath below.
Many aftermaths are associated to negativities. But my aftermath, I need to testify is associated to positivity. I wrote the story when I was very frustrated. I wanted to marry but I thought it would not be possible. I wrote the story like a joke. I just wanted to vomit out my frustration. But you will be shocked what the story has done in my life.
After the story, I was able to engage a girl. My excuse at first was that I could not think of marriage because I didn’t have enough resources. I looked at myself as a simple teacher. I concluded marriage would not work for me. But I got a girl who promised to eat if possible the dust with me if that will be what we would find. I got married!
I have been able to grow big each day. I have narrowed my life to personal growth. I have been growing both physically, mentally, socially, financially and spiritually. I determine to think big and live big every day. I have learned it is me determining the level of my growth. I have right to limit myself if I want. I have right to raise myself even up to the sky if I want. I can even lower myself to the dust if I want. So, I have decided to think and live big!
I just remember lately the great impact of this simple story in my life. At first I didn’t believe the story was going to be great in my life. I only got convinced when I received comments from my face-book friends. Some of them I appreciated my creativity. Some of them thought it was a true story. They were shocked to hear that the only best teacher according to them has been rejected by a girl. Others just pitied me.
Those who pitied me took concern. Some were able to meet me. They gave me enough counselling. They gave me even ways forward. They advised that I should not give up. They said life has many faces. If it has faced you with the wrong face, it is possible that it will face with the right face the next day. Someone just needs to continue pushing on with life. Life always changes unexpectedly. The time you don’t expect life to change, it is the time it changes.
To be honest, I am not the Mr lam of 2023. What has brought this unexpected change was my personal writing. Personal writing is the most important part of one’s writing life. It leads to personal transformation. You will first change your life before changing others. It helps you to understand your own self. Personal writing keeps motivating you as you continue to write. It continues to encourage you amidst the challenges of writing life.
I appeal to those who want to build their writing skills. Start with writing for yourself. Since you understand yourself much better, you will not fail to write. You will learn that you are getting healed each particular day. You will simply get rid of your stress. You will be your own counsellor. You will not need a mentor. Your writings will continue to mentor you.
Below is the story. I didn’t edit anything. It is the same way I wrote it in May, 2023, two years ago. The story was years ago, but its message continues to guide life. Reading it, it looks simple. It has just the primary school English. But I wonder why it has transformed my life. Write yours, you will be surprised how it will change your life too!
Think Big, Live Big
The world is full of experiences. I thought I had enough experiences that I wouldn’t need any. But that proved me a liar. I must testify now that there are millions experiences that one must go through before having a permanent agreement with a grave.
On the cold morning of May 7th, 2023 by the bank of the Nile River, I met the person that changed my life. I couldn’t believe my eyes seeing the most beautiful girl Prof Taban Loliong can give the best description. I thought I saw an Angel. I got confused and lost all the words I had to say. My mouth just remained opened and eyes swollen.
When I recovered from my consciousness, I saw someone I could talk to. The girl rescued me with her broad smiles. As a man, I must prove to a lady that I could talk to her. I smiled back and deeply in my heart greeted her.
We both entered the scene of introduction. She perfectly introduced herself. She said everything she wanted me to know about her. She told me her passion and hobbies in life. Considering the strength in her words, I had no doubt she is a girl of big dreams.
It came my turn and I had said everything I felt she wanted to know about my life. In my introduction, I mentioned, “I am just a small teacher.” Hearing the statement coming from my mouth, the beautiful girl turned into a lion. She poured countless curses on me. She said, “How dare you knowing that you are small coming to talk to me? I am not just a small person and I don’t dream talking to a small person even in the world to come.”
Being a kind girl, she accepted asking her a question of her objection. When I asked what she hated from my statement, she said that she hated in her life men who think small while they are to think big. “You will always remain small if you think you are,” she concluded and left.
The poor teacher was left alone! I entered into the world of thoughts. As an educated person, I had to judge who was right between the two of us. After an hour of deep thoughts, I had learned the young lady was right. There I learned girls love big men not small men. I concluded that I had no reason to belittle myself.
Imagine here if I had any reason to say “I am just a small teacher.” The young lady is a senior four leaver with a pass of grade “C”. I am a college graduate with strong “As”. I got my college education with 99% of my tutors from the West (white people). I am also a university graduate with first class honours in English Language and Literature from the best university in the country. The young lady has no job and earns her salary from the money that remains after having strong bargains with the vegetables’ sellers. I have a secured job, living in the first class building in South Sudan standard and earn the best salary for a teacher in the country.
Who should look small, the young lady or I? Definitely if you are honest, you must say it is the young lady to look small. I have all the reasons to think big.
My appeal to my fellow teachers
Dear beloved teachers, we are not just small teachers! Teachers are great everywhere in the world. I must think big. In most countries, teachers are highly respected and have the best privileges a person would wish to have.
It is true many people have wrong perceptions about us. But remember, perception is perception and it isn’t the truth. What others say about you affects you for just a minute but what you say to yourself affects you for a life time. Prove wrong whatever people say about you by appreciating your uniqueness. They will be ashamed.
As a male doctor can approach a minister’s daughter, a teacher must do the same. Let’s stop thinking that we are poor. We are not poor! We are rich! See the honour our learners give us. We are called Sirs. Is that not a great thing we should be proud of? Love your work and others will love it.
Pronounce poverty to yourself and you will remain poor. Think rich and you will remain rich. The story is true. I had always thought I was small and deserved to remain poor because I am a teacher. That is not the case as I write. I am now big and great. I am proud of my profession and I love it. I deserve to marry the most beautiful girl in the country and I must show to everyone that I deserve the privilege.
In conclusion my dear teachers, our pupils and students copy us. Ask anyone pupil or student if he/she wishes to be a teacher, you will go with a blow. None wishes to be a teacher. They all think choosing teaching is choosing poverty. They will be proud of us if we think big. There is no human who lived, who lives and who will live that loved, loves and will love poverty. Poverty is like death. No one likes it. Let us believe we are rich and our people will be proud of us. I am now a changed person and will always think of big things. I need big things not small things. Do the same. Our country will change.
Be rich in teaching.