“The most powerful thing you can do right now is be patient while things are unfolding for you.” ~Idil Ahmed
The final year of my college days remains etched in my memory like a vivid tapestry of hope and despair. My heart was set on studying abroad, a dream that burned bright with the promise of intellectual exploration and a future in academia. But when my application was rejected, it felt as though a door had slammed shut in my face, leaving me adrift in a sea of frustration and disillusionment.
Unlike my peers who were eagerly preparing for the workforce, I had my sights set on a different horizon. I envisioned a life filled with research, the pursuit of knowledge, and the thrill of contributing to the world of academia. However, a formidable obstacle stood in my way: my English proficiency. As a non – native speaker, I struggled to meet the minimum IELTS score required for my application. My first attempt at the test was a harrowing experience. The speaking section was a nightmare, and I barely managed to scrape through the writing part. The realization that mastering this language would be far more difficult than I had anticipated hit me hard.
The test was not only challenging but also expensive. The thought of retaking it without the assurance of success was daunting. I found myself in a precarious position. I had invested all my hopes in studying abroad and had not even considered applying for jobs as a backup. The choice before me seemed impossible: continue to push myself to pass the test and secure a scholarship, or abandon my dream and enter the competitive job market? Both options seemed like dead – ends, leaving me feeling inadequate and lost.
In the depths of my despair, I turned to books, hoping to find solace and guidance. It was during this search that I stumbled upon a quote by Rumi, borrowed from his mentor: “When I run after what I think I want, my days are a furnace of distress and anxiety. If I sit in my own place of patience, what I need flows to me, without pain.” These words resonated deep within me, like a gentle wake – up call. I realized that I had been so fixated on a single path that I had closed myself off to other possibilities.
Rumi’s wisdom had always held a special place in my heart, ever since high school. In college, I delved deeper into his works, and my interest in spiritualism and self – awareness grew. I even began practicing meditation as part of my martial arts training. Inspired by the quote, I decided to take a leap of faith. I let go of my desperate attempts to force a solution and embraced the stillness, a decision that initially felt counterproductive.
As I allowed myself to be still, something remarkable began to happen. The anxiety that had been gnawing at me started to ebb away, and I gradually came to accept that perhaps my dream was not meant to be realized at that moment. I understood that setbacks were not the end of the road but rather opportunities for growth. And then, out of the blue, a call from a high school friend changed everything.
She asked about my graduation, and when I told her I had just finished, she mentioned a vacant teaching assistant position at her international school. The moment she said it, I sat up straight. With a degree in education, teaching was indeed my forte. But what made this opportunity truly special was the environment—it was a place where English was the language of daily life. Without hesitation, I accepted the offer, sensing that this was the very thing Rumi had spoken of.
As a teaching assistant, I immersed myself in the world of English. I spoke it, read it, and wrote it every day. The experience was a catalyst for my language skills, and eight months later, I felt ready to retake the IELTS test. This time, there was no trace of the anxiety that had plagued me before. I approached the test with confidence, and while I did not achieve a perfect score, it was more than sufficient. The biggest obstacle in my path to studying abroad had been overcome.
From there, everything fell into place like pieces of a puzzle. I completed the administrative processes, secured a spot at my dream university, and was even awarded a scholarship. In the span of a year, my life had transformed from a state of uncertainty to one filled with joy and fulfillment.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson about patience. In a world that constantly urges us to push, strive, and achieve, the idea of surrendering to the process and waiting can seem counterintuitive. But patience is not about giving up; it’s about trusting that the right opportunities will present themselves in due time. It’s like the lion in the wild, waiting silently, observing its surroundings, and pouncing only when the moment is right. Patience is an active choice, a projection of trust in the journey.
Through this journey, I also learned to distinguish between stillness and inaction. When I paused and allowed myself to slow down, an alternative path emerged. What I had once seen as a detour—the teaching assistant job—turned out to be the key that unlocked the door to my dream. Now, whenever I face challenges or pursue new goals, I remind myself to pause, observe, and trust the process. Sometimes, the most powerful step forward is the one where we choose to stand still and let life unfold.
