From Discouraged to Distinguished.
What emotions are stirred when you reflect on your high school years? Does it evoke memories of your high school sweetheart, or perhaps visions of your younger, more athletic self excelling in a sport you now coach your children in? Maybe it's the sound of a song that played on your drive to school, memories of friends made, or the stress of SAT scores and college decisions. There's a multitude of recollections that flood our minds when we look back. Reflecting on high school, I can still vividly recall and even occasionally feel like the person I was then.
If I were to summarize who I was in high school in three words, I'd choose young, tentative, and discouraged. Young, because I was always the youngest in my class, having skipped a grade in elementary school. I distinctly remember feeling out of place, like a perpetual outsider due to my age. I recall a blatant reminder of my age being centered around a senior year spring break trip to Mexico. I was invited by classmates, but had to politely decline because I was only 16 (and my parents wouldn’t have let me go anyway), in comparison to them already being 18. I was also tentative, often paralyzed by the fear of failure. This fear manifested in various aspects of my high school experience, from auditions for school plays to running for class president instead of the safe choices of treasurer and VP. Finally, I felt consistently discouraged, doubting my abilities as a student and athlete. I recall several late nights trying to study for exams and complete homework assignments, only to get to the test and completely forget everything I’d studied. Despite my efforts, I always seemed to fall short, leading to a persistent feeling of inadequacy. A feeling that often presents today.
So, fast forward to present day…imagine my surprise when my high school principal called to inform me that I had been selected to receive the first Distinguished Alumni award!
My initial thought was “Oh, how embarrasing. He thinks I’m my brother.” It wasn't until he elaborated on my accomplishments in the mental health field that the gravity of the honor sank in. As I sat among my family and friends at the awards ceremony, I couldn't help but question the identity I had carried for so long. If these people saw me as deserving of recognition, why couldn't I see it myself?
Reflecting on a speech I heard last year, I recalled the speaker's advice to confront our innermost thoughts and feelings. I realized that I had spent much of my life believing I wasn't "enough." This ingrained belief, however, was challenged by the praise and recognition I received at the ceremony. Instead of reinforcing my self-doubt, I was reminded of my achievements and the supportive relationships I had formed. It completely disarmed me.
This experience prompted me to consider how many of us harbor self-limiting beliefs that hinder our potential. For years, I had allowed feelings of inadequacy to hold me back, unaware that I was the only one standing in my way. What could I have accomplished if I had embraced confidence and viewed my differences as strengths?
I share this not to boast but to inspire you to confront your own inner demons. What beliefs have prevented you from pursuing your dreams? It's time to shed the weight of shame and embrace the love and acceptance we all deserve. Whether you've achieved greatness or struggled to find your footing, know that you are inherently worthy. You are enough simply because you exist.
So, I challenge you to confront your inner doubts and rewrite your narrative. Recognize your worth and let it propel you forward. You are capable of anything you set your mind to, and that is the undeniable truth.
With Love,
Taran
