Continuing with the theme of young men growing up, and in preparation for an upcoming, publicized Google+ Chat on the topic on 8/20, we are sharing the work of one of the participants of that upcoming chat: Idris Webster
On the way to manhood, what are the valuable lessons that you’ve learned? Idris knows his answer.
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The support my parents gave me was instrumental in helping me become the man I am today. As one of the only African-American students at Dalton, there were many days when I felt alone and wanted to give up. My parents, however, always seemed to know exactly when to step in and provide me with the motivation that I needed. Their unconditional support taught me about perseverance, inner strength and determination—three things I hope to pass on to my children.
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My failures have been valuable opportunities of learning and self-improvement, as they have shown me exactly where improvement is needed. I look at my failures from a positive perspective and see how they shaped me into the man I am today. I also actively and openly listen to positive criticism from my teachers, mentors, parents, and myself, and use them to better myself. Being open to the criticism was crucial for me, because I easily could have let the failures affect me negatively. Instead, I turned my failures into beneficial experiences.
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Playing basketball and being part of a team were important aspects during my development that have influenced me greatly. I learned many lessons from my days of playing competitive basketball in and out of school. The most important lesson I learned was that hard work is a necessity. As a young basketball player, I quickly accepted the reality that in order to be successful I needed to commit myself to a significant amount of practice hours. This lesson has proved true in almost every other aspect of my life, and I am grateful for this lesson I learned through basketball.
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My journey has been filled with many ups and downs. In many ways, the trials and tribulations of my journey have eventually led me to where I am today. It has not been easy for me to get where I am today, but because of the hard work and perseverance I endured, I am able to succeed at the college level. Also, the people that I have met throughout the years also provide a great network of friends to share the rest of my journey with.
Image Via: ollesvensson/Flickr