From Disappointment to His Appointment

pharmacy

In 2006, after finishing my pre-degree in science programme at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), I was admitted to the Department of Plant Science and Applied Zoology, Faculty of Science, to study Applied Zoology. However, the tradition was that those who scored above 70 per cent at the end of the programme were admitted into Medicine, Pharmacy or Biochemistry. Therefore, I was utterly disappointed with the course I was admitted for, after working diligently to score 74 per cent.

I made a firm resolution to change from Applied Zoology to any health-related discipline. Fortunately, a friend introduced me to the then Dean of Basic Medical Sciences, who promised to admit me to his faculty, based on my good grades. I bought a change of course form, and did all I was instructed to do. Unfortunately, the second admission list came out and my name was missing. The third and final admission list was released and my name was omitted. I was bitterly disappointed but at the same time more determined to change my course after my first year. Fondly I hoped, fervently I prayed.

To cut a long story short, I made the required grade point and I was able to cross to the Faculty of Pharmacy. The rest is history. I’m now a certified pharmacist.

Charles Stanley rightly said, “Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He is sufficient for all our needs. When I accepted this as an absolute truth in my life, my worrying stopped.”

The most interesting aspect of this story is that it was the last intra-university transfer in the history of the Faculty of Pharmacy, OOU. These days, it is either you gain admission through JAMB or through Direct Entry. That period was a very tough one for me and the experience I garnered made me strong, tough and always prepared to fight for and go after my dreams.

The famous author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, once remarked, “The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream and how you handle disappointment all the way.” From this first-hand experience, it became crystal clear to me that every disappointment is a blessing in disguise. In fact, in God’s dictionary there is nothing as disappointment; it is a preparation for “His-appointment”.

The touching life story of President Abraham Lincoln depicts that disappointment often leads to His-appointment. Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. In 1818, at the age of 9, he lost his mother. In 1831, at the age of 22, he failed in business. In 1832, at the age of 23, he ran for the state legislature and lost. He also lost his job and couldn’t get into law school. In 1833, at the age of 24, he borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and at the end of the year he was bankrupt.

In 1834, at the age of 25, Lincoln ran for state legislature and won (first victory after so many blows.) In 1835, at the age of 26, he was engaged to be married and the lady he dreamt of marrying died. In 1836, at the age of 27, he had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months. In 1837, at the age of 28, he became a partner of John T. Stuart (second victory after another round of trials.)

In 1838, at the age of 29, Lincoln ran for speaker of the state legislature and lost. In 1839, at the age of 30, he was chosen as president elector by the First Whig Convention and admitted to practise in the US circuit court (first appointment after a myriad of disappointments)

In 1840, at the age of 31, Lincoln tried to become an elector and was defeated. In 1842, at the age of 33, he was admitted to practise law in a United States District Court. In 1843, at the age of 34, he ran for Congress and lost. In 1846, at the age of 37, he ran for Congress again and won. In 1848, at the age of 39, he ran for re-election and lost. In 1854, at the age of 45, he ran for the Senate of the United States and lost. In 1856, at the age of 47, he sought for the vice-president nomination at his party’s convention and lost woefully. But in 1860, at the age of 51, he was elected president of the United States of America.
Unarguably, Abraham Lincoln was one of the best presidents in the United States of America and the world in general. My dear friend, how many disappointments have you faced that you want to give up? I am quite sure not as many as Abraham Lincoln’s. Develop a resilient attitude towards life’s challenges.
Remember, it is not over until you win.

ACTION PLAN: Be committed to your vision but be flexible in your strategy. Develop a resilient attitude towards life’s challenges. Keep believing in yourself.
AFFIRMATION: I am a force of nature. I can achieve anything I set my mind at. I am blessed and highly favoured.

To improve your belief system, and stay motivated, visit www.sesankareem.com.ng