It all began when life decided to hand me a dose of its own medicine, one that was bitter, humbling, and hard to swallow.
It was the end of a four year university journey. Everywhere around me was joy, smiles, laughter, and plans for graduation and convocation. My classmates were excited, counting down the days to walk across the stage and step into the future. And then there was me, sitting quietly, wondering why it felt like I would never amount to anything in life. I was genuinely happy for them, yet deeply broken inside.
When the big day arrived, they were all dressed in their finest outfits, sharp suits and radiant smiles, like grooms ready to take their brides home. Meanwhile, I lay on my worn out foam mattress, staring at the ceiling, wrestling with the reality that I would be left behind. I had to summon courage I did not even know I had, preparing myself to repeat the year on campus, this time with shame as my constant companion and juniors as my classmates.
Just when I thought I had endured enough, another year passed and hope returned. I was finally set to move forward with my juniors. Then the news hit. There were “inconsistencies.” Just like that, I was disqualified again. I would not be moving forward. I would have to stay back for yet another year, now two years behind where I was meant to be.
That pain broke something in me.
Overwhelmed by shame and disappointment, I left the city entirely and traveled to meet a close female friend. There, away from familiar faces, I cried until there were no tears left, mourning not just the delay, but the version of myself I thought I had lost.
In the middle of that darkness, something unexpected happened. I discovered the Gratitude App.
At first, I ignored it. Gratitude was the last thing on my mind. I was hurting, not thankful. But slowly, almost reluctantly, I gave it a chance. Without realizing it, it became exactly what I needed. Reading stories of strangers who had endured pain, loss, and setbacks and still found healing shifted something in me. The affirmations softened my thoughts. The journaling helped me confront my pain honestly. For the first time, I began to recognize the blessings I had overlooked while focusing only on what I lacked.
Gratitude did not erase my pain, but it gave it meaning. It helped me see myself differently. More kindly. More hopefully.
Today, I am a graduate. Not just that, I work in a multinational organization that many of my former colleagues only dreamed of. And I am doing well.
Looking back, I now understand that delay is not denial, and setbacks are not the end.
Sometimes, life breaks you only to rebuild you stronger, wiser, and more grateful than before.
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