The year 11s and year 13s are being spoken to a lot at the moment about working hard to reach their goals, but also having to think about what they need to do to achieve. This week our year 9s will be starting to think about what GCSEs they want to take. Our thought for the week comes from Kalpana Chalwa who says

“The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it.”

I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher, and most of my academic decisions have been affected by that aim. It wasn’t always as straight forward as I would have liked, but I made it.

Most people have dreams, they might think they are unobtainable, or they are likely to change throughout time. But… that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take them seriously, consider what we need to do to reach those goals and then persevere. It is likely to take time, it is likely to be difficult, you’re likely to want to give up at times, but imagine how it will feel when achieved.

When the letter was written to the early Hebrew church there is a recognition of the things that can get in the way, but the support and perseverance that is needed in the race of life, but also our other races and dreams. The verse says

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2a

May you have the courage to find and follow your dreams and run your races. Amen