Determination
Every once in awhile I like to look around the 'Net for stories and quotes and little items that push things forward. I don't have a lot of time to do it, of course, but when I'm feeling writer-ish I'll look around. This one reminded me of being in college and getting a paper returned to me from an old English professor who told us many times that he was 'working on a book'. I, of course, wanted to do the same thing someday, but he temporarily dashed my hopes with a note on the top of the paper that said:
"You'll likely never be published."
I remember reading that note over and over again until I finally tore up the paper and gave him a two-word send-off, over and over in my mind.
A few years later...and every single time I had a book come out...I sent him one. Each time I'd ask him how his book was coming along.
He never returned my correspondence.
Yet, this one is off the 'Net...same thoughts.
By Monty Roberts.
As he was a kid, his father as a horse trainer was moving from stable to stable, from ranch to ranch, training horses. Thus, the boy‘s school career was constantly interrupted.
One day, when he was a senior, a teacher asked him to write about what he wanted to be when he grew up. He did not hesitate a minute and wrote seven-page paper about his aim to be an owner of a horse ranch. He wrote many details and drew a location of buildings and stables and even a detailed house plan.
Two days later he received his paper back with letter "F“ on the front page.
After class he came to teacher and asked:
"Why did I receive an F?“.
The teacher responded:
"This dream is so unrealistic for a boy like you, who has no money, no resources and who comes from itinerant family. There is no possibility that you will reach your great goals one day.“
Then the teacher offered a chance to rewrite the paper with a more realistic attitude.
The boy went home and asked his father, how should he act. The father answered:
"This decision is very important for you. So you have to make your own mind on this“.
After several days the boy brought the same paper to his teacher. No changes were made. He said:
"Keep the F and I'll keep my dream“.
Now Monty Roberts owns 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of 200-acre horse ranch and he still has that school paper, which now is framed over the fireplace.
Remember, you have to follow your heart and never let anyone to steal your dreams.
"You'll likely never be published."
I remember reading that note over and over again until I finally tore up the paper and gave him a two-word send-off, over and over in my mind.
A few years later...and every single time I had a book come out...I sent him one. Each time I'd ask him how his book was coming along.
He never returned my correspondence.
Yet, this one is off the 'Net...same thoughts.
By Monty Roberts.
As he was a kid, his father as a horse trainer was moving from stable to stable, from ranch to ranch, training horses. Thus, the boy‘s school career was constantly interrupted.
One day, when he was a senior, a teacher asked him to write about what he wanted to be when he grew up. He did not hesitate a minute and wrote seven-page paper about his aim to be an owner of a horse ranch. He wrote many details and drew a location of buildings and stables and even a detailed house plan.
Two days later he received his paper back with letter "F“ on the front page.
After class he came to teacher and asked:
"Why did I receive an F?“.
The teacher responded:
"This dream is so unrealistic for a boy like you, who has no money, no resources and who comes from itinerant family. There is no possibility that you will reach your great goals one day.“
Then the teacher offered a chance to rewrite the paper with a more realistic attitude.
The boy went home and asked his father, how should he act. The father answered:
"This decision is very important for you. So you have to make your own mind on this“.
After several days the boy brought the same paper to his teacher. No changes were made. He said:
"Keep the F and I'll keep my dream“.
Now Monty Roberts owns 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of 200-acre horse ranch and he still has that school paper, which now is framed over the fireplace.
Remember, you have to follow your heart and never let anyone to steal your dreams.
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