Another Day, Another Week: The Quiet Search for Purpose

          "Belonging", Rachel Bingaman

I find myself wondering what it truly takes to be accepted as a teacher after years of study. If I had to guess, I’d say it's the lack of experience and professionalism. But how can you prove your worth if no one is willing to give you a chance? Each rejection feels like another door closed, leaving me questioning whether I'll ever find a way in. I send out countless applications, spend hours refining my CV and cover letters, yet the silence from potential employers is deafening.

Then there’s the weight of nationality, the shadow of being born in a place where some look at it with prejudice. It seems that if you're not from the "right" part of the world, your qualifications suddenly lose their value. It's hard not to feel invisible when your background doesn’t fit the mold, even though you know you have the skills to succeed. Maybe that's just the scar I carry. We all have our burdens, and I suppose this one is mine to bear. But it doesn’t make it any easier. Every day that passes reminds me that I’m not quite what they’re looking for.

Or perhaps I’m not as good as I thought, and sometimes the truth is a hard pill to swallow. Yet, there's a spark within me that whispers I can do it, that I can shine and burn brightly, like a star. No matter the rejection, I just have to follow my path and believe in myself.

So, what remains for someone trying to carve their place in fair Verona? It’s a constant battle between hope and doubt. I remind myself of those who faced rejection countless times, only to rise again, stronger. Shakespeare never set foot here, yet he wrote one of the most famous stories about this city. He took inspiration from others, adapted, and made it his own. Perhaps I should do the same. Perhaps my destiny lies beyond Verona.

But it’s hard not to feel the weight of being here, fighting every day for a chance to prove myself. Sometimes, I wonder if it’s worth it—if the dream of teaching, of doing what I love, will ever come true. Yet, deep down, I can’t let go. I have to believe that there’s a place for me, that one day, my name will be called.

For now, I’ll keep moving forward, even though the path is unclear. I’ll keep applying, keep learning, keep adapting. Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that giving up is never an option.

Image credit: https://www.fulcrumgallery.com/Rachel-Bingaman/Belonging_1022043.htm