A beautiful thing takes place when we open our eyes. We can behold something so beautiful, that it can cause us to conquer feats once considered a victory well out of reach. When we open our eyes, we breathe in illustrations so powerful that it can give us the strength to press through circumstances that are highly unfavorable. That my friend is: inspiration. Inspiration is the oxygen to our exhaled disposition.

Follow up:

This past week, I opened my eyes and inhaled inspiration from one of our students who passed the TAKS Exit Exam. This young student had missed the mark on six occasions, and yet made the phone call to seek help knowing and trusting that she could make it past the Exit Exam to graduate. This young lady wanted to pass so bad that she took a job to pay for the sessions and studied before and after work, with and without the teacher present.

Though many became drop outs, she was determined to finish the 13 year journey began in Kindergarten. Though determined to pass, there were discouraging moments throughout the time of preparation for the test. Doubt crept in as we drew closer to the exam; worries that her dreams would come into fruition. After much prayer, and a pep talk or two, she pressed forward towards her dreams and destiny. And victory!!!!

My friends, educators and parents, I have been inspired and I am writing this blog to inspire you. Last year, we worked with many students that were in a similar position as this student. I can’t count the number of phone calls we received from parents that were just as discouraged as the students because their student had missed the mark once more. But, open your eyes and inhale some inspiration. Her success has reaffirmed that all things are possible when we believe, work hard, reach out, and refuse to leave the task unfinished (or should I say leave the TAKS unfinished). In life, we will all face discouragement, and see outcomes that are not to our liking, and in these moments, our future is solidified.

A question to you, “How will you face the task at hand?” Will you soak in past defeats, or will you scrub and rinse off the past, and shower yourself with encouragement? "What lengths will you go through to complete the journey" Many press on, but have given up and are merely going through the motions. I believe that this is why some of our students repeat the same performance and feed the discouragement with the product of its harvest. Let us spend these last moments studying for the exam, but also looking for inspiration from around us to find the fuel we need to complete the journey ahead. The journey is meant to be completed and we must find sources of fuel from within and from others to power us to the finish line.