The Elephant Story
1 + 5 = 27
In May 2024, I paid to get a tattoo of an elephant on my left arm. By this time, I had already gotten over 20 tattoos all within two months. During those months, I had two tooth very painful tooth extractions and one bonding performed, and I still chose to get a tattoo directly after. True story! Perhaps I just enjoy the pain. My first tattoo (my daughter’s name) was impulsive to say the least; I got it during April 2024 while on Spring Break simply because I was bored. The reason for that boredom and what had exhausted my energy will actually be revealed in this story. Me being as spontaneous as I am, I decided to get something I was always told not to do - a tattoo. One became five & five eventually became a 27. No, I’m not done yet. But why the elephant? I was already promised (4) tattoos on the house because I had always tipped Jason Ray (my tattoo artist) very well in the past. Most tattoos have a story. So, allow me to tell you, my story.
A Tiny Family Reunion
A few months prior to getting this particular tattoo, I had been working on something big! On January 2024, I returned to middle school after a much-needed Winter Break. Although I wasn't quite ready to resume work, I was eager to complete the school year as I planned to move from Louisiana, where I had spent about four years, back to South Carolina. My daughter's mother and I had recently reconnected and were on amicable terms again. I had been reaching out since 2020, and after much prayer and patience, God finally helped us reconcile. We managed to resolve our differences. Because of this and my wish to be an 'active' parent, I decided to make the move so we could co-parent in person.
Are You Kidding Me?
To ensure a smooth transition, I contacted a recruiter for the school district I had spoken with a year earlier. I was informed that I would need to take not just one, but four Praxis Core tests to qualify for a teaching position in Charleston, SC. Unbeknownst to me, this information was not entirely accurate, and my recruiter was merely trying to ensure I would qualify for any available job offers. Was I mad? No. I didn’t find out until many months later. But at the time, I was in panic mode. Nevertheless, I chose to discipline myself, concentrate, and start studying the material. I quickly established a routine of going to work and then studying for two hours at home. I was motivated by the lack of time, the need to secure a high-paying job once I moved, and the desire to provide the best I could for my daughter. Occasionally, I would even study at work near the football field at the middle school I worked at during my free period. Some of my fellow teachers would see me there and not understand what I was doing, but a few who I had gotten close to knew. I was determined to make time for my studies—no excuses. My social life even plummeted. Before this, I had been dating frequently but given the number of tests I needed to pass and the limited time available, I decided to slow down and focus on my work. Why the rush? The thing about the Praxis test is that if you fail, you cannot take the same test again until a month later. And with teaching being the kind of career that hires most of its employees in August, I didn’t have time to waste.
Make Effort, Not Excuses!
Thanks to my dedication, I successfully passed the Reading, Science, and Social Studies tests on my first attempt. However, like anyone else, I faced setbacks. I failed the Math test twice. After my second failure, I reviewed my scores and identified my weak areas. During the last week of school, after weeks of studying, sacrificing, and disciplining myself, I passed the Math test with a score higher than I had anticipated. I left Natchitoches, LA and raced back to Ball, LA with a big smile on my face to spend the rest of Field Day with my 8th graders. This moment of success was firmly etched in my memory, and I felt a sense of pride in my achievement.
So, About The Elephant?
I am definitely not a procrastinator. However, similar to an elephant, this was a time in my life when I faced significant stress, limited time, and a lot at stake. As a result, I depended on my memory and work ethic to get me through. The tattoo served as a reminder that just like I had overcame heartbreak, living in a car for 6 months at one time, and all the trauma from my childhood, I too, had conquered this. Normally, I prefer to plan in advance. Yet, in life, we cannot always anticipate what is coming. We do not always receive a warning. So, what should we do in those situations? We fight anyway. We act. I decided to embrace conflict. I was deliberate with each day, every weekend, and every hour I utilized. And it all turned out well!
Why This Story?
I shared this narrative with you because it holds universal significance. It’s a tale that anyone can connect with. The account of my family’s move from Georgia to South Carolina in 1998 is quite profound due to its involvement with drugs & domestic violence. Additionally, the experience of living in my car during 2016 - 2017 may also evoke strong emotions. Detailing how I was suddenly uprooted from everything familiar at the age of 9 to relocate just a city away from Hopkins, SC carries a deep history that led to that moment. However, this story is truly valuable! It’s a narrative from which any man, woman, or child can gain insight. It highlights themes of redemption, the drive to succeed, facing challenges, and the measures taken to overcome them. Instead of merely recounting the story, I aimed to present the outcomes to inspire you about what can be achieved when you remain steadfast. Just take a moment to see for yourself
May this story inspire you to go hard and be relentless about your life as well!
