By Cheval John

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles

A person will experience a defeat at one point in their lives.

When they do experience the defeat, they have two choices: stay down or get back up.

If you stay down, you will be sending a message that the adversity is too much for you to overcome.

It might be easy because you do not have to try again to fulfill your dreams of being successful to make a difference in the world.

However, you will end up feeling regret because you chose to wallow in your defeat.

On the other hand, when you get back up and try again, you will be a step closer to fulfilling your goals.

You will see your momentary defeats or setbacks as life lessons that will help you to avoid making the mistakes that led to your defeat.

For example, the Sam Houston State Bearkats team suffered their first ever defeat in Southland Conference (SLC) action against arch-rival Stephen F. Austin on their home court at Johnson Coliseum on January 24th.

The Bearkats could have decided to feel sorry for themselves because of their loss to the undefeated (SLC) conference leaders.

Instead, they regrouped and strung together three straight wins including the 79-50 win against Lamar to remain in second place in the SLC with a 9-1 record (17-5 overall).

So if you get knocked down by defeat, get back up.

Because you will inspire others to keep on chasing their dreams to make the world a better place.

By Cheval John

If you feel that things are not going your way, celebrate because the adversity can be a way for you to discover your strengths.

You might have aspired to play professional baseball, but had a injury that derailed your dreams.

Or wanted to work at a prestigious company, but they did not take any interest in you.

Though they are “devastating” events, it was a blessing in disguise because you were meant to do more with your life.

When I started college late in 2003 at 22 years old, I felt that I was behind everyone who were about to graduated with their college degrees.

I was thinking that if I had started college immediately after moving to Huntsville, Texas, then I would have been able to graduate at the same time as the others.

I had made up my mind that I was going to try and graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree as fast as I could.

Though I enjoyed college, making friends and learning my second language as Spanish major, I was constantly comparing myself to others who were making money in their jobs because of their degrees while I was working in the fast food industry during my time as an undergraduate.

When I finally graduated in 2009 from Sam Houston State via Lone Star College (gained Associate Degree in 2007), I thought I was going to join the work force because of the degrees.

However, I was wrong as I had graduated in the middle of the “Great Recession” and I was looking for work because I had quit the last fast food job.

I was angry, feeling sorry for myself and blaming people because I thought if I had only started college before 2003, I would not have been in this position in looking for a job.

At that moment thanks to my parents, I understood that I had a lot to be thankful for because I had achieved my college degrees despite graduating high school with a 1.9 G.P.A. that prevent most people from attending college.

If I had graduated in 2003, I would have missed out on the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in public relations, journalism, television, and radio.

Also, I would have missed out on covering Sam Houston State football consecutive national championship appearance in Frisco, Texas, the baseball team winning three consecutive Southland Conference Championships and three at-large berths in the NCAA tournament and of course, the Bearkat bowling team winning the school’s first ever, NCAA Division 1 National Championship.

So celebrate your failures because they are the lessons that will guide you to your eventual goals that will allow you to make the world a better place.