Reflection 2: If exams are hard – think of what you are good at doing too. Build on the whole ‘you’
REFLECTION 2 If exams are hard – think of what you are good at doing too. Build on the whole ‘you’
You might introduce this reflection with some thoughts about cake making. For example, you can’t make a fruit cake without fruit ... and you don’t need fruit to make a sponge cake. Different cakes need different ingredients.
Also encourage some thought about the fact that none of us can be good at everything - a good swimmer probably can’t run a sub-four-minute mile, and there are plenty of brilliant musicians who can play an instrument but can’t sing ...
There’s no denying GCSE, AS and A level exams - any exams(!) - are hard for some people; harder for some than others. Also we can’t run away from the value society puts on success at school. Even when exams are hard, it’s still important to do your best. Everybody has value ... and part of the way in which you are ‘measured’ is how hard you try, regardless of the result. If exams are hard, part of the ‘you’ you are is how hard you try when things are difficult.
There are other parts, or aspects, of you and it’s worth thinking about and remembering what you are good at doing or being as well.
Put it all in the mix of the whole ‘you’.
Richard Branson (you might illustrate this with something carrying the ‘Virgin’ label) is famous and rich. See the Virgin label and most people would link it with his name. However, he would be the first person to recognise that he’s not good at everything. Also he’s recognised that you may have to keep on trying, and work differently, in order to succeed. ‘Screw It, Let’s Do It’ is one of his favourite sayings. He’s written a book with the same name and in it he shares the lessons that have helped him through his business and personal life. One of the key lessons is ‘believing it can be done and that if others disagree with you, try and try again until you achieve’.
You can get more information about Richard Branson at: www.virgin.com/richard-branson/autobiography/
Diane Abbott, MP is the first black woman elected to Parliament and is listed as one of the 100 great black Britons. In 2008 she was named as one the 10 most powerful black women in Britain. Her commitment is inspirational, her involvement in issues is widespread and varied and she doesn’t give up ... especially when the cause is important to her values and what she believes is important in life. For example during a House of Commons debate on the Counter-Terrorism Bill in June 2008, Diane Abbott gave an astonishing and inspiring speech in defence of our human rights and freedoms. David Davies MP, of an opposing political party, who spoke immediately afterwards described it as 'one of the finest speeches I have heard since being elected to the House of Commons'.
Her life and work is about tackling what is hard and giving her best.
Her website is at: http://www.dianeabbott.org.uk/
Diane Abbott’s speech on civil liberties and the 42-Day Detention debate is at: http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/issues/2-terrorism/extension-of-pre-charge-detention/diane-abbott-s-42-days-speech.shtml
There are numerous other web sites with references to her life and work, including: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Abbott#Personal_life
Some information about her work in Parliament is at: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/diane_abbott/hackney_north_and_stoke_newington
BIBLE REFERENCE
Luke 6: 43-45 (A tree and its fruit)
REFLECTION
My mind may be troubled, my confidence low, my thoughts wander to what I can’t do ... yet my prayer is for the opportunity to show what I can do, what I can be.
Lord let your Spirit be with me when I doubt myself; when I have to face the things I find hard.
Help me keep in my heart a belief that there is much I can do; be with me as I learn what you want me to be.
And remember...
‘A person is rich according to what they are, not according to what they have.’
or
‘Success comes in cans; failure comes in can’ts’
(Adapted from: God’s Little Instruction Book pub Marshall Pickering, ISBN 0-551-02917)
