It's a chapter

Today is one of my least favourite days in my country.

As most of you are aware, the results for learners who were completing Grade 12 last year have been released. For those of you who aren't familiar with this, this is a time when one completes their basic education phase. They now have the opportunity to move on towards higher education. These results are public and are published in newspapers country wide.

Back in my day names and surnames where published below the schools. This together with the symbol which shows how one has performed. Appearing on that paper is a BIG deal. Still is. What bothers me is that you're not the only one waiting in anticipation. There are prophets of doom also waiting to rejoice in your success or failure.

During this time we often marvel at the distinctions, how well schools performed and we tend to forget about the ones who didn't make it. I say we forget because our words of encouragement aren't as loud as the critics. So today, my thoughts and prayers are with all those who don't get to celebrate today.

It is the end of the world. I understand. It's the end of the world as you know it and you feeling this way is justified. You've been in the schooling system for a couple of years and you had plans. You had plans to be at university with your friends, to finally earn a salary to help out at home, to be done with school and that teacher you don't like...the list is endless.

Failing your matric year means that you have to endure a lot. From people who are on your case on social media, the neighbours and relatives asking how it went and other prophets of doom who are suddenly experts. You're probably thinking about how you have to endure another year in the space which you were ready to leave. I can relate to this because I couldn't wait to leave high school myself.

Guess what? It's also the beginning of another journey. One where you get to learn that failure is just a chapter. Its never the entire story. Neither is it the end.

You will soon realise that they are right when they say it's not always the fastest runner who wins the race. I know this because I haven't always been the fastest runner and I've turned out fine. I know other people who have also been where you are and they are also perfectly fine.

Embrace this setback in your life.

You may not want to believe this right now but there have been tons of people in your exact position who have made it work. I hope that, for your sake, you've met some who can take you on their personal journey.

For the next few days you'll be subjected to hearing how your fellow colleagues did well. You may wonder how they did it with the same hours and you couldn't. Be constructive about these reasons. If they don't build you, let go of them immediately. Clap for your friends. Congratulate them. You were on the same race but you have different destinations.

When you arrive in varsity nobody will ask you how you got there. When you buy your first car nobody will ask about this year. When you eventually reach your dreams you'll look back at this time and thank life for the lesson.

The thing about failure is that we're taught to avoid it like a plague as society. We're treated like we have the plague when we go through it. We're laughed at, mocked and ridiculed. This ends. After it runs it's course, it comes to an end and you enjoy success even more.

So, yes. The end of the world is also a chapter. Regroup and fight for your dreams. It doesn't end here.

I wish you all the best.

Someone who occasionally spends time with failure.