Hello, my name is MJ Salahuddin. I am in my first year of Grad School after formerly playing football here at NC State. My career ended after a second horrific ACL tear, this one being the opposite knee. I feel as though many in my shoes would have given up at that point, and maybe I would have too if it weren't for my upbringing. I was raised to have faith. I'm a strong believer in Jeremiah 29:11 (For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future). This is what fuels me. This verse is what motivates me to wake up every morning with a smile on my face and embrace a new day.
One of my favorite childhood books that attributed to developing my character is Little Engine That Could, by Watty Piper. This is a story that teaches children that value of work ethic and optimism. The background of the tale is that a small engine is confident that it can pull a train over a mountain, while the larger engines are doubtful. Eventually, the engine succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain while repeating its motto: "I-think-I-can". This story has been told thousands of times, but the message remains the same. When you set your mind out to complete a task and truly believe that nothing can hold you back, nothing will.
MJ--another one of my favorites! I also read this with my dad as a kid, still very relevant. I have read it with students to talk about the importance of effort. Thanks for sharing!
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