Achievement

I recently helped organise the school leaving ceremony at Simba School. In addition to being the Master of Ceremonies, I also penned a poem on Achievement, that was read out by two Grade Tenners. On reading the poem, one of the school leavers, having just finished her IGCSE exams said, "But, Mr Renaux, we have achieved nothing. Why should such a poem be read at this ceremony?".

My answer: Is there any reason it should not? Don't we achieve something by living the lives we do? We can't go on to achieve anything if we have not achieved the simple things we have already achieved. Einstein would not have achieved international acclaim had he not done the simple job of growing up. His Airness, Michael Jordan would not have achieved stardom had he not achieved the simple process of making the school team. Abraham Lincoln would not have achieved anything had he not achieved the simple process of learning to read. My point? Don't look at achievement as sudden stardom; look at it as the process, the journey rather than the end.

Achievement is a gradual process, not a sudden accomplishment. Achievement is failure; achievement is success. Achievement is endeavour; achievement is acclaim. Achievement is living for the moment; achievement is forging the future. Achievement is an education; achievement is the experience of being human.

This is the poem that was recited:

Achievement

Achievement…
Is not basking in the glory
It is
The glory of the endeavour

Achievement…
Is not public acclaim
Rather, it is
Personal vindication

Achievement…
Is not looking back with pride
It is
The satisfaction of moving on

Achievement is…

Realizing a goal set,
Fulfilling one’s potential,
Hurdling over an obstacle
The success of one’s dream

Perseverance over failure
Accomplishment against the odds
A step in the right direction
The triumph of one’s spirit

Achievement is…
The reality of a dream
That was, once, shaken out of its trance.