The day David realised how talented he was, he decided to focus on making other people aware of how hard the journey of life was. He hoped to help heal their bleeding internal wounds by sharing the sad yet interesting story he had to tell. Many people, including his mother, never realised how open-minded he was. He was amazing, artistic mind inspired and persuaded other people not to lose focus on the goals they wanted to pursue in life.

David was the best gift his mother ever had from God. He was seventeen years old and in Grade 12, and had lived under very unpleasant conditions since childhood. He had never had extra time to build a stable wall of friendship with others, for he was always at home reading books and doing his homework, designating the majority of his time to studying The Bible. He worked very hard, sweated a lot, and wanted to successfully complete Grade 12 in order to get a bursary for furthering his studies.

His mother was a single unemployed parent, for his father died due to an accident when he was very young. As far as he was concerned, his mother was like a father too, for she was so supportive of him and ensured that he was well taken care of.

One day, she asked David, “My child, what do you really wish to become in the upcoming years?”

“Mom, I just wish to become a teacher. After completing Grade 12, I would really like to see myself before others, motivating and encouraging them not to feel small and to always believe that God lives, no matter how hard the situation they are enduring or how good their days are. I’d like to remind them to remember the hardships we are all currently living,” David said.

His mother was so surprised with the unexpected answer she received that she saw her son in a new light. That was the day she finally realised that her child had a big dream. He was dreaming a dream beyond them all.

A month after David’s final examinations, he went to school to collect his results. When he got there, he was informed that his achievement was the best. He was the only one who passed five of six subjects with distinctions at Reagile High School. He was finally able to obtain a bursary to further his studies at a university.

A few months later, his mother decided to do something very special for him. She organised a party and invited everyone who was interested to attend. On Saturday, the 30th of April 2005, which was a year following his matriculation, he received a surprising call on campus from his mother.

When she announced she was throwing him a party for the first time in his life, he really appreciated it. But on the other hand he was worried, knowing that his mother was unemployed. His tone of voice seemed very lacklustre, and his mother began to think there was something disturbing him.

“My child are you alright?” she asked, her voice full of concern.

“No Mom, how am I supposed to be alright? I am not at all, because I know there is no way you can throw me a party when you are unemployed. You cannot afford to do something as big as you speak of,” he answered.

His mother knew that such an answer was all she could expect from her son, who always thought about others before himself. She told him not to worry much about that, for she had begun selling fruits and vegetables two weeks ago and her business was doing very well. She assured him that there was no way she wouldn’t be able to afford everything that was needed for the party to move forward.

David immediately got excited after hearing his mother’s good news, asking her if she would prepare a program and include him as the motivational speaker of the party.

The day of the party finally came. It was a Saturday afternoon around twelve, on the 20th of May 2006. David’s mother gave an opening speech introducing and congratulating her precious, intelligent child in front of everybody who was there. The party was exciting, and everyone was enjoying themselves immensely. Finally, the time came for David to give the speech requested by his former principal to everyone in attendance. He began by respectfully greeting his invitees and then continued with what he’d been wanting to say.

“Good afternoon my friends, parents, teachers, brothers and sisters. Here I stand today in front of you all, looking at how beautiful you are. Ah…thank you. First of all, I would really like to thank God, my beautiful caring, loving, and protective mother, my teachers, and the community at large, for playing an important role in my life. I thank and love you so much more than words can say.

“In life, you do not have to feel like you are from another unknown planet. Always be involved in everything you do, remembering that the smallest act might take you to the place your heart genuinely belongs. The more you act, the more people will begin to recognise your ability.

In time, prepare yourself to face any challenge on your own. It does not matter how hard the game level is, never let yourself give up. Let your mind control the whole of you, generate more ideas on how to overcome any challenge, and have that belief of ‘I am going to make it, no matter what.’

“If somebody tries to discourage you from doing your best at a new task, don’t let it hurt your feelings. The only thing you should do is ask yourself this question: ‘Why not me though?’ Whenever you don’t feel confident in anything you do, keep on forcing yourself to say ‘I can achieve this, it is nothing much to worry about’. Even if you know it is something you currently cannot handle on your own, believing in yourself will go a long way.

“Those who did not believe that you could achieve something on your own, without having to ask for anybody’s assistance, will learn to understand the word “perseverance” better than before, and you will be known for your skill and ‘know how.’ Never be amazed by how positive people will react toward you after you prove their negative opinions of you wrong. Concentrate on how you feel and what you dream of becoming. Stop worrying yourself about what people think of you. Remember that your dream is more important than what somebody says or thinks of you.

“You can even use the painful feeling of failure to gain energy and get yourself back on track for the future. Instead of allowing yourself to be destroyed by the vicious feeling of failure, just sit down and think of how powerful you will be the next time you try to perform a particular task. Never concentrate on what you cannot control and instead focus your mind on what you are really good at. Persist at promoting your mind’s strength and processes for effective development.

“If people respect you, know that this is a reflection of how good your communication is toward them. When they wish to become exactly as you currently are, know it has something to do with your actions toward them. And whenever you see somebody trying to wash the dirt from their hands with your name, know that you are the reason they want to change their character.

“ From the bottom of your heart, just say ‘I do not care how many bullets you are willing to use to take me down, I am only concerned with the number of times I can still stand while you are busy firing,’” David said, concluding his speech.

Everybody was touched by his words, and many felt motivated and wanted to hear more of them. They believed he was indeed blessed and destined to become a rescuer of minds and healer of hearts through motivation.

After the party, David’s former principal introduced him to Pastor Jackson Mokwadi, who clearly recognised his developing talent and encouraged him to continue healing people’s hearts through his powerful motivating words.

“My child, I think you should now take this to the next level. You could honestly be a great writer, and by doing so, you would be spreading that healing voice of yours nationally and internationally,” the Pastor said.

David felt so important, special, and motivated by the Pastor’s words.

“Thank you so much Pastor, now where do I begin from here?” he asked.

“My suggestion for you is to begin by presenting a piece of your mind’s work this Sunday at church, so you can learn how to face the crowd,” Pastor said.

Daniel agreed with the Pastor’s suggestion and began to consider the possibility of being an actual writer. Many people believed in him and kept wishing him luck on his first time journey of writing.

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Tell us: Who motivates you when you are feeling down or discouraged?