Recently, I was somehow made to recall an experience I had during one of my lab sessions in university. We were required to complete a task and then request for an evaluation, after which we would be allowed to leave. As expected, many of us finished around the same time but there was only one lecturer to go around evaluating everyone.

And then the lecturer came to evaluate someone seated not far away from my table. The moment that student signed on the evaluation-cum-attendance form (which meant that the evaluation had been completed), I promptly raised my hand and said, “Sir…”. At the same time, there were at least 5 others who were trying to get him to evaluate them.

That soft-spoken lecturer then told us something which I can still remember clearly until today. He said, “Be patient, okay? Patience is a virtue”. At one point, he was looking at me. Although I didn’t mean to be impatient at that time, I strongly felt the message. That’s because, this lecturer of mine had only one leg. He walked with a pair of crutches all the time.

I don’t know what happened to him in the past (that resulted in the lost of his leg), but coming from him, those words couldn’t have hit me harder. It wasn’t just about that lab session. It made me reflect on my life, how many times had I acted impatiently, and how many times had I complained about my inadequacies when in fact, I have been very lucky in many ways.

I didn’t raise my hand for the next 30 seconds or so, as my mind was still registering the words, his facial expression, and his soft vocal tone. That is why I can still vividly recall that moment, which happened more than 2 years ago. Although my job now does not require much of the subject he taught us, that simple utterance will stay and guide me for the rest of my life.

Footnote: Btw, this Sunday will ceremoniously mark the end of my university studies, and I have only one thing I wish to tell all my lecturers, lab assistants, tutors, primary and secondary school teachers: Thank you for shaping me into who I am today!

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