THE CREED
Dr. Marva N. Collins
Society will draw a circle that shuts me out, but my superior
thoughts will draw me in.
I was born to win, if I do not spend too much time trying to
fail.
I can become a citizen of the world if I do not spend too
many energies attempting to become local.
I will ignore the tags and names given me by society since
only I know what I have the ability to become.
I will continue to let society predict, but only I can
determine what I will, can, or cannot do.
Failure is just as easy to combat as success is to obtain.
Education is painful and not gained by playing games, but I
have seen failure to destroy millions with promised hopes
and broken dreams.
While I have the opportunity, I shall not sit on the
sidelines bitter with despair and wish later that I had
become a literate lifter of this world instead of a failing
leaner.
I will use each day to the fullest. I promise that each day
shall be gained, not lost, used, not thrown away. Yet it is
my privilege to destroy myself if that is what I choose to
do.
I have the right to fail, but I do not have the right to take
my teacher and other people with me.
God made me the captain of only one life, my own. Therefore,
if I decide to become a failure, it is my right.
We were all promised a pursuit of happiness, and that is what
I must do, pursue happiness and success for myself. No one
will give it to me on a proverbial platter, and no one will
care as much about me as I must care about myself. But I must
be willing to accept the consequences for that failure and I
must never think that those who have chosen to work while I
played, rested, and slept, will share their bounties with me.
I will wave proudly my flag signifying that I am a failure by
choice. But I will never envy those who have selected to wave
their unfurled banners announcing their success.
My success and my education can be a companion which no
misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can
alienate. No envy or names can hurt me.
Education and success can be a lifetime solace. It guides
goodness, it gives at once grace and genius to governments,
communities, cities, townships, villages, homes, and palaces.
Without education, what is a man? A splendid slave, a savage,
a beast, wandering from here to there believing whatever they
are told. God is not some cosmic bellboy who comes at my
beckon and call. If I want to achieve, the first step must be
my own undertaking. Likewise, if I want to fail, that too is
my choice. Time and chance come to us all. Whether I decide
to take that time and chance is indeed my own choice.
I can either be hesitant or courageous. Life does indeed
maroon the hesitant and inspire the brave.
I can swiftly stand up and shout, "This is my time and place.
I will accept the challenge, or I will let others make my
decisions for me."
thoughts will draw me in.
I was born to win, if I do not spend too much time trying to
fail.
I can become a citizen of the world if I do not spend too
many energies attempting to become local.
I will ignore the tags and names given me by society since
only I know what I have the ability to become.
I will continue to let society predict, but only I can
determine what I will, can, or cannot do.
Failure is just as easy to combat as success is to obtain.
Education is painful and not gained by playing games, but I
have seen failure to destroy millions with promised hopes
and broken dreams.
While I have the opportunity, I shall not sit on the
sidelines bitter with despair and wish later that I had
become a literate lifter of this world instead of a failing
leaner.
I will use each day to the fullest. I promise that each day
shall be gained, not lost, used, not thrown away. Yet it is
my privilege to destroy myself if that is what I choose to
do.
I have the right to fail, but I do not have the right to take
my teacher and other people with me.
God made me the captain of only one life, my own. Therefore,
if I decide to become a failure, it is my right.
We were all promised a pursuit of happiness, and that is what
I must do, pursue happiness and success for myself. No one
will give it to me on a proverbial platter, and no one will
care as much about me as I must care about myself. But I must
be willing to accept the consequences for that failure and I
must never think that those who have chosen to work while I
played, rested, and slept, will share their bounties with me.
I will wave proudly my flag signifying that I am a failure by
choice. But I will never envy those who have selected to wave
their unfurled banners announcing their success.
My success and my education can be a companion which no
misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can
alienate. No envy or names can hurt me.
Education and success can be a lifetime solace. It guides
goodness, it gives at once grace and genius to governments,
communities, cities, townships, villages, homes, and palaces.
Without education, what is a man? A splendid slave, a savage,
a beast, wandering from here to there believing whatever they
are told. God is not some cosmic bellboy who comes at my
beckon and call. If I want to achieve, the first step must be
my own undertaking. Likewise, if I want to fail, that too is
my choice. Time and chance come to us all. Whether I decide
to take that time and chance is indeed my own choice.
I can either be hesitant or courageous. Life does indeed
maroon the hesitant and inspire the brave.
I can swiftly stand up and shout, "This is my time and place.
I will accept the challenge, or I will let others make my
decisions for me."
