My daughter told me she’s worried about the upcoming school year. Apparently, this year really counts or something like that. I asked her whether it was the social pressure or the schoolwork. She said the latter although the former is going to be also present.

I then told her that I came to this country when I was her age and it wasn’t an easy transition. And that I was a good student, not a great one.

I then told her a story of how I had an absolute zero percentage at midterm in my programming class in high school. None of my programs worked. None.

Grades matter but so do other factors.

In addition to book smarts, street, people, and what I call God smarts.

I did not do all of that perfectly but I certainly tried.

So I just told her what I still tell myself now – One day at a time, one moment at a time. And ask God for help in whatever she does.

I also told her she doesn’t have to be good at everything and it’s other qualities that will get her through.

And here’s the kicker – she will fail at some point and that’s ok. That it’s ok not to be strong all the time. Being weak, scared is normal, human, maybe even divine.

But that programming class?

I claw my way out of that hole and end up with an A at the end of the semester.