In my third year of university, I had the opportunity to take a corporate law course taught by a dynamic young professor. This course was theoretical, and the professor regularly gave us practical cases to handle. One of the many practical cases we received had to be done in groups of seven to eight people. This exercise was much more complex and extensive than the previous ones.

The professor asked the students to form groups and distribute tasks among themselves so that no one would have to do the exercise alone. The professor gave no indication of how these groups should be formed. The students began to spontaneously group together based on their affinities. Within just a few minutes, the various groups had formed; but I found myself all alone. The solitude I had chosen at university to avoid problems became detrimental when I needed to integrate into a working group.

With the groups formed, I began to go around the lecture hall asking all the students if they could include me in their group. Everyone replied negatively, stating that they were already full and there was no room for me. I was stunned but not worried, thinking I would eventually find people who would accept me into their group so I wouldn’t be left alone. I continued asking the different students to include me in their group, but the response remained the same despite my persistence.

Faced with these repeated rejections, I decided to approach the professor to ask him to invite or order one of the groups to let me join. I explained the situation to the professor, feeling embarrassed, and asked if he could do something to help me. The professor listened attentively, and when I finished speaking, he stood up and addressed all the students, asking if any of the groups could still include me. The professor waited a few seconds for someone to respond by, for example, raising their hand.

To my great astonishment, no one responded to the professor’s call. My amazement grew even more when my professor looked at me and said, “Since you don’t have a group, I suggest you do the work alone.” The professor’s words echoed in my ears like a joke until I realized a few minutes later that he was serious. Suddenly, I felt anger fill my heart. I was so irritated inside that I felt physically paralyzed for a few moments.

I was seized with shame and felt despised because all the students now knew that I wasn’t wanted anywhere among them. The fact that the professor didn’t bother to try to convince the students to reconsider their position and make room for me was like silent approval from him in this situation. He indirectly communicated his support to them, implying that he would have acted the same way in their place. Despite this, I decided to regain my composure and calmly returned to my seat.

While sitting and following the class, I felt inclined to complain to the dean of the faculty. I thought the dean would listen and decide to bring me justice. However, before taking this step, I told myself that it was very likely the dean shared the same feelings as the students and the professor I wanted to report. I understood that my disappointment and frustration would be much greater and more devastating if the dean wasn’t willing to understand and help me.

This lack of certainty about the dean’s mindset led me to abandon any complaint. From that day on, I decided never to complain or accuse anyone. I chose to adopt a responsible mentality by refusing to see myself as a victim. I chose to believe that I was capable of getting by on my own, no matter the circumstances.

In the end, I understood that each adversity offered me the opportunity to turn my gaze towards the unlimited nature of my potential and that I just needed to think about ways to bring this inner wealth to manifestation. Indeed, complaints, blame, accusations, and excuses divert our attention from the magnificent potential we possess by focusing it on the people and circumstances around us. So I decided to focus on the practical case I had to do alone, unlike the other students who could work in groups.

As I seriously began to think about my assignment, I had ingenious ideas that gradually brought me closer to the final solution. I gathered incredible ideas until my work was excellently completed. The feeling of frustration I had when I was rejected turned into pride and satisfaction when I finally succeeded, by the grace of God, in doing the work alone and successfully.

This wonderful experience allowed me to definitively understand that nothing and no one can stop a person who is aware of the unlimited nature of their potential. I felt that the truth was buried within me, just waiting for me to pay attention and believe in it for it to manifest and distinguish me…

This text is an excerpt from the book “FROM THE GHETTO TO THE BAR” written by Dominique MBOG.

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