It is amazing how affirmations show up when we need them the most.
I was on my way home from the office earlier this week after a hectic Monday. I was preoccupied with concerns about note payments, scheduling at work, future projects and all-around end of the month chores. I was questioning the time I spend split between jobs. At one point or another, we all ask ourselves, “Is this all worth it?” I have a habit of overthinking and it can be exhausting.
I was near exhaustion on my way home when an unexpected text message came from a former student.
“Hey Mr. Lewter,” he wrote. “I wanted to quickly say thank you for your trust and belief in me in your classes. I know I wasn’t the best student at times and you probably don’t know why.”
He said he’s been in alcohol recovery since late 2022. That was after I met him in the fall of 2021 when he was a student worker on the campus newspaper. He wasn’t getting the job done, lacked communication skills and was (at best) just not present. The student executive made the choice to terminate his employment. I stood behind their decision.
“It doesn’t matter… who made the decision to fire me,” he wrote. “But being fired… was the best thing to happen to me… I needed that kick in the butt to go down a new path… My burn out made me slack off… I just got really tired.”
He said being fired made him re-evaluate his path and he adjusted. He later enrolled in my broadcast journalism class and found a love for radio.
“I learned that I loved doing radio more. I appreciate your support and the quality level of teaching I got from you when I actually sobered up and took the time to listen to your online lectures…Lastly in your broadcasting class, that’s when I knew that you were a great prof and that maybe you liked me and saw potential in me.”
He had to repeat a few courses. I always allowed him to re-enroll.
“In fall 2022, I went in to prove you wrong even though my blame was misplaced,” he wrote. “Retaking your class in the summer, I realized you’re just a great professor and I was the one slacking off.”
He cleaned up his failures, completed his coursework and graduated last year. I gave him a reference for a radio job, and he is now working the board at one of the big sports talk stations in Dallas.
“If it wasn’t for professors like you at Tarleton and the work experiences I got to do, I wouldn’t be where I am right now,” he wrote. “So, thank you sir!”
I was touched by his note and thanked him for reaching out.
I don’t tell you this to stroke my ego. I tell you this to illustrate how the universe provides us with affirmation when we need it the most. Sometimes it is direct like this. Sometimes it is more subtle, but it somehow shows up just when we need it the most. His unsolicited note fortified me for the work at hand. I wasn’t exhausted anymore. I was ready to go back to work.
Saying ‘thank you’ can change somebody’s day. It can change someone’s life. I implore you to count your blessings and show appreciation for them. Send a text, make a call, email, whatever— just say ‘thank you.’ It’s contagious and invigorating.
We are here to prop each other up. Be the positive affirmation someone needs. You won’t regret it.
