My personal story and thoughts on education

Let me begin by saying a powerful quote from Dalai Lama, \"When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.\" I want to share a personal testimony of my education: More than 25 years ago, I graduated from the “University of Success.” I didn’t receive any awards for academic achievement. The greatest reward I’ve attained is how I managed my life for the better. I’ve acquired the essential ingredients of my personal success. I’ve learned powerful lessons and techniques to look back from where I’ve been, to set my goals, to make the most of my abilities, to develop my self-confidence, to acquire strength, to motivate myself and others, to seize opportunities, to deal with adversities, to find the courage to take risks, to do things I was afraid to do, to learn and bounce back from my failures, to generate enthusiasm, to use my time wisely, to get people to give what I want, to guide my children, to handle stress, to enjoy the best things in life, to count my blessings, to strive for excellence, to attract success and to look like a winner. I’ve learned the greatest secrets of success, and I’ve used them to make a better world for myself. The “University of Success by Og Mandino” is a book from my mom that I had read when I was young – I had read it with passion and had transformed the thoughts into action. It was my mom’s legacy that had made a big impact on my life. Now, I am taking an inventory of my life from where I’ve been to what I’ve become. I looked back with understanding and appreciation, with contentment and gratitude. I may not be materially wealthy, but I am rich with wisdom, experiences, and accomplishments. I’ve attained my personal success from the places I’ve traveled, the experiences I’ve encountered, the people I’ve met, the books I’ve read, the knowledge and talents I’ve shared, the needy I’ve helped, the friends I’ve established, the admiration I’ve gotten, the trust I’ve earned, the respect I’ve gained, the compliments I’ve received, the gratitude I’ve expressed, the confidence I’ve developed, the risks I’ve taken, the opportunities I’ve seized, the lessons I’ve learned, the promises I’ve fulfilled, the adversities I’ve surpassed, the failures I’ve overcome, the fear I’ve fought, the challenges I’ve defeated, the victory I’ve celebrated, the accomplishments I’ve done, the dreams I’ve reached, the blessings I’ve enjoyed, and the wisdom I’ve acquired and lived. Like many other girls in the Philippines and around the world, I finished my education through my mom's hard work. Our family's economic status didn't become a barrier for me to finish my education. She raised my siblings and me without lavish material things, yet she gave us the best education. She had taught us the principle that education is a powerful tool to succeed. That was a personal story. Based on the recent analysis, the educational system in America has been declining. Some of the reasons behind this status include the public school system, US educators, cultural setting, dysfunctional families, and distracted students. This is one of the biggest challenges the U.S. is facing now. The solutions to this challenge should come from the government, but the educators, parents, and students need to improve the declining educational system in America. Education has become accessible with new technology. The cost of formal education has become less affordable, but various forms of informal education are accessible using technology. Books, computers, and educational facilities are ways to access information to learn. There is no reason to be ignorant. There is no excuse to be innocent. Formal or informal education is a step to reach a goal, to grow, and to succeed. Education is not only the knowledge we learn from school. Education is also the wisdom we learn in many ways. Education is not only feeding the minds but as well as teaching the hearts. When we have the education, we have the voice. When we have the voice, we have the power. When we have the power, we can transform the world.