Struggle is Real, so is Success

It started with a spark of curiosity, turned into a ray of interest, developed into a passion, and then transformed into a dream.

Journalism started as just a thing in elementary which I was only penetrated after my teacher was able to read my sample excuse letter on my “Formal Theme” book. I eventually joined competitions which I enjoyed and learned a lot.

I thought it was just merely a writing competition wherein you get to earn medals, get additional awards on your graduation day, and make your parents proud until I reached high school.

In high school, it became serious.

I started being interested to it more than just enjoying it to feed my curiosity. It led me to developing my own skills to be better. It led me aiming for excellence and craving for more. After years of squishing my brain to improve my pen, I ended up as an editor-in-chief on our school publication in junior high school.

I felt like it’s a tough kind of interest because you need so much of your thinking, but I enjoyed it so I pursued it.

My two years in Senior High School were my remaining years before finally deciding what to take in college. I was still into journalism. I grew bolder and better. I have learned a lot from my previous experiences which I was able to apply on my last two years as a competing journalist. I thought to myself, “Mao nani, hunat nako kay sa college wa na’y contest.” But I was wrong, it’s actually even tougher there.

When I had to finally choose a degree program to take in college, I did not hesitate anymore and chose Journalism. When asked why, I said I don’t feel like it’s just an interest anymore, I feel like it’s my passion already.

Here comes college. It’s ultimately different. It’s not the same feeling anymore. You don’t get excited anymore whenever you are asked to write an article because you are asked to do it a bunch of times. Course after course, you will be writing an article. And whether your brain and pen participate or not, you have no choice but to write to pass.

Beyond the real game and competitions, in college, it’s actually a battle between you and yourself.

Before, I felt like every article I have written meant substantially and deserved to be read by many. But now, you can’t think which of the articles you made is excellent, or at least good, because you don’t get acknowledged for it anymore.

Struggles come raining already. At nights, even when your body feels like resting already, you have to pull yourself up and do all the paperworks. It’s exhausting especially when writing is not the only thing on your mind, you also have long chapters to study in your minor subjects, and a dance presentation to prepare for your PE class. Indeed, I can say that the “struggle is real” in college as a journalism student.

At times, you get so frustrated with yourself for not being able to manage your time because you suck at self-composure in times of bombardment of responsibilities. More often than not, you just freeze in your room thinking of what to do first.

But hey, I know God put me here for a reason. He didn’t just let me get curious or interested about this if this isn’t for me. I wouldn’t be calling this my passion if my reasons were only shallow. I could’ve chosen a less demanding degree program, but I didn’t because I knew this is what I wanted.

Now that I am halfway from graduating, I feel like I have gone through enough trials on my chosen field of profession to finally be able to say that this is my dream, that this is what my heart and brain want me to be.

I still have a very long road to take. I know that I will still be facing more, struggling more, achieving more, and learning more.

Uncertainties sometimes come and bug me, but I still keep going on my long trek because I am fueled by God’s love and compassion. When faced with struggles, others think that they’re failing, which is not right. Remember that struggling is not a determinant of failure, failure is when you give up in times of struggles.

How do I know that I’ll make it? I believe. I know I’ll make it because I believe in myself and the people who matter to me believe in me also.

Whoever is reading this, please know that you are not alone in this journey. You have your family and friends with you, and you have God, most especially, always guiding you in every step of your way.

When you fall, fall smart. Get up, learn from your endeavor, and come back stronger.

You might be in confusion at this very moment. You might feel like your life’s a mess. But you have to remember that success doesn’t feel good when you don’t work hard for it. Success does not taste at its best when you did not struggle in achieving it.

So hold on, it may seem as though that the light and fire in you are slowly dimming, but you have to keep on holding and fighting for your dream because you have fought and won numerous battles with yourself, and all your struggles deserve respect by not giving up after passing through them.

You are more than just a possibility. You are more than just a potential. You are more than what you think you are. So, keep going.

The taste of struggle is real, but trust me when I say that success tastes a lot better. /Jonas Raymond Tatoy

Photograph by: Ericailah Gerasmio