Only the test of fire makes fine steel

In a letter Abraham Lincoln wrote to his son's teacher, a quote caught my attention: "Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel."

The transition from a mere school-girl to a full-fledged working adult is not an easy one. I learnt the hard way that working is not about earning money. It is about taking up huge responsibilities; about being accountable for every action; and perhaps most of all, about swallowing your pride.

The past nine weeks can be aptly described as "a period of searing pain" for me. Many things happened which disturbed me. Hurtful words have been said which caused me to be greatly shaken. However, looking back, I'm glad that somehow, I managed to pick myself up after every fall. If what I had gone through is "the test of fire", I certainly hope that by the tenth week, I can emerge as "fine steel".

Picking oneself up after a fall

Seasons. Which season of my life am I in?

Over the past few weeks, the feeling of brokenness is what I have been acquainted with. I started out feeling all-excited to meet my ex-students, in the hope that I can do more for them. I started out all-set to undertake the new challenges that await me: this includes meeting a new batch of students. I started out believing in my calling to be a teacher.

As the realities of work set in, however, I realised that little by little, my enthusiasm is waning; little by little, my confidence is dipping. So many times throughout the weeks, I would feel discouraged and wish that I could give up altogether.

I've been doing some serious thinking, asking myself if my ideals have turned sour. And I've come to the decision that I cannot and will not give up at this point in time. Really, it is not in my character to give up just because of a few setbacks. Picking oneself up after a fall is something I've always lived by so let me practise it now. I remember a quote from The Little Prince which says that "If you want to see butterflies, you will have to endure a few caterpillars". Because I want to see butterflies in time to come, I will press on no matter how tough the times may be. I have a passion for teaching; and nothing will ever change that fact. Nothing at all.