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More To That
Write for Yourself, and Wisdom Will Follow
A wiser version of yourself is accessible whenever you need that person most
When I was in the eighth grade, I was invited to an awards ceremony that was like the Oscars for our junior high school. Each subject had nominees vying for one award, and I was nominated in three categories.
I had never won any type of trophy in my life, so I was excited to tell my dad there was a good chance I could finally win something. Needless to say, I hyped up this ceremony quite a bit, so my father proudly agreed to accompany me.
The school auditorium was bustling with pimply faced teenagers in ill-fitting dress shirts, and nervous energy bubbled around all the families. My dad and I found some seats in the middle of it all, with a clear view of the stage that I was sure I’d be standing on later that night. After all, I was nominated in three categories, so I was bound to win something, right?
About half an hour into the ceremony, the first category I was nominated in was announced, and the award went to…
Someone else.
I recall glancing over at my dad briefly to get an idea of his emotional situation.
He seemed stoic, which was a good sign. He was probably holding out some hope, just like I was, but was containing it within the bounds of his expressionless face.
The next category I was nominated in came up shortly after, and the award went to…
You got it.
Not this guy’s son.
A slight eye twitch was all I got from that news. It was probably the physical onset of an inevitable disappointment that was quickly dawning upon…
