USMACatholic
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Messages
- 30
Like yourself, I did not make it into West Point. My entire life, I knew I wanted to become an officer. For the past five years, when I had an epiphany of what I wanted to do with my life, I prayed every single night. Let me really stress this: every. single. night. I am a devout Catholic, and I knew that God would provide.
That changed when I held in my hands a rejection letter.
Why did this happen to me? I'm a top-notch athlete, scholar, and leader. I've had strangers on the street offer their support in my quest for West Point; they knew I could make it. But why didn't I?
I thought long hard about rejection. I always needed to think about the possibility. How would I react? What I envisioned was me breaking down into tears and questioning everything I've done up to that point.
What I did was completely different.
You know what the words "rejection" and "denied" are? Just that: words. A composition of lines and curves to symbolize an action, place, or thing. You are more than just the words. You are more than that paper which is holding back your future.
You are a leader, the best of the best. Do not see this as a rejection or a defeat. Do not see this as a reflection of your character. That paper, that "rejection" is nothing but a challenge. Hone your skills, your character, and prove to the world, to yourself, that you're still in the fight; you're just a year behind. Catch up. Work. Do not give up. It is nothing but a hurdle in your life, and frankly you're in the final stretch.
I'm working for it next year. You think I'm going to let some suited-stranger decide my fate? No. I'm getting in next year. If not that, then the next.
Let's get movin'!
That changed when I held in my hands a rejection letter.
Why did this happen to me? I'm a top-notch athlete, scholar, and leader. I've had strangers on the street offer their support in my quest for West Point; they knew I could make it. But why didn't I?
I thought long hard about rejection. I always needed to think about the possibility. How would I react? What I envisioned was me breaking down into tears and questioning everything I've done up to that point.
What I did was completely different.
You know what the words "rejection" and "denied" are? Just that: words. A composition of lines and curves to symbolize an action, place, or thing. You are more than just the words. You are more than that paper which is holding back your future.
You are a leader, the best of the best. Do not see this as a rejection or a defeat. Do not see this as a reflection of your character. That paper, that "rejection" is nothing but a challenge. Hone your skills, your character, and prove to the world, to yourself, that you're still in the fight; you're just a year behind. Catch up. Work. Do not give up. It is nothing but a hurdle in your life, and frankly you're in the final stretch.
I'm working for it next year. You think I'm going to let some suited-stranger decide my fate? No. I'm getting in next year. If not that, then the next.
Let's get movin'!