13 March 2015

Destiny, Decisions and Discernment

Done screening paper applications. A lot of strong and interesting candidates for our master's program. Next, interview and essay exams of those in the shortlist. 

Under ideal conditions, I'd like all of them to be admitted — offering places to the deserving achievers, and giving chances to the promising late-bloomers.

Reflecting on my past educational journey, connecting the dots, I tend to believe in 'destiny', while being aware that the decisions and choices that we made in the past have contributed greatly to where we are and what we have become. 

But now that we have to make decisions on who deserves to be given the opportunity, it may not be apt to be romantic about it and think of 'destiny' of every applicant. We will have to make tough decisions that will make or break a young aspirant's plans, ambitions, wishes, or prayers. 

Perhaps, if this isn't about 'destiny'; it's about 'If it's meant for you, it's meant for you'. Just like in relationships, if they're not meant for each other, they'd break up anyway. In this case, if it's not meant for the admitted candidate, s/he would drop out anyway.

May we have the wisdom, foresight, instinct, and discernment to offer places to the deserving, to the most promising, to those who won't take for granted this wonderful educational opportunity and resources, and to those students who would also make teaching a worthwhile professional endeavour and a meaningful life's vocation.

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