I was also the shyest student; probably, I suppose because my
learning disabilities made reading, comprehension, and retention so difficult. So, feelings of inferiority and insecurity were my closest companions. They, along with some teachers who felt they could accurately predict my miserable future of failure, contributed to the persistent realization that I was not as bright as my classmates.
However, it soon became clear to me that I was not going to be a math-wizard; I was not going to be the smartest person in the world but I was going to be a success in spite of my shortcomings. I was going to choose to discover my strengths, nurture a positive self-image, look at my problems rationally and find the best solution to solve them. I decided to maintain a hopeful outlook filled with gratitude, joy, and good self-care. I developed greater resiliency because I chose to learn and grow from difficult situations.
I know today that I would have not been an exceptional elementary
and high school teacher had I not experienced the difficulties to learning. My creativity—my great strength—afforded me ways as a teacher to reach youngsters who also lacked the writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills as I did. Together, we designed new ways of learning that was fun, innovative, and exciting. How thankful I am to have had such an opportunity to struggle in school; and how thankful I am for my size as I can relate to those of us who need step-stools to open cabinets well out of our reach.
I feel sorry for people who feel inferior and have not gotten over it. They feel like they are losers and to be winners often persecute people. They attract and associate with those who feel the same pain; hating others and finding comfort in making them scapegoats. They will use any means to mask their feelings of inferiority and elicit the illusion of superiority.
Too bad they haven’t realized that no one can make you feeling
inferior without your consent!