“Gifted”

“Special”

“Remarkable”

You’ve heard these words your whole life.

Ever since childhood, you’ve seen

That big, brightly-colored “A” on your paper

And felt a sense of pride.

You’d received praise from your teachers and family members

About how Smart you are.

They’d go on and on

About how you were actually Something.

How you were so Special

And were going to make it so far in life.

You felt so Intelligent

And you’d never slipped up.

You felt Invincible.

But then

Once you inevitably slipped up,

You lost all of your self worth.

The letter that once proved

That you are so “Skilled” or “Smart”

Had disappeared.

It was all that mattered to you.

It seemed to be your Only Defining Feature.

Your Proudest Accomplishment;

Prized Possession,

Gone.

You felt like you were no longer the “Smart”

Or “Talented” kid

That you used to be,

But a shell

Of what you once were.

No longer of Value.

No longer Special.

No longer Worthy of praise…

Or even love.

Eventually, you stop feeling so afraid

Of those mere letters.

You realize that everyone makes mistakes;

How you view your mistakes

Is what really matters.

Whether you see them as a reason to improve

Or a reason to quit.

A temporary letter does not define you,

But your mindset does.