The applicaton process is complete. The selection is finalized. The results are being distributed. But, here's the secret: It's only just begun.
There are two reactions that you might have experienced when opening that email from Motivate Canada. One being, a huge burst of excitement, a sense of accomplishment and an extreme amount of anticipation for what May has in store for you. Why? Because you have been selected to attend the ACTIVATE 2010 Conference. The second reaction might be a rush of disappointment, followed by questioning yourself as to why you thought you had a chance to attend the conference in the first place. Why? Because unfortunately, you did not get chosen.
You might be wondering why I was able to pin point your given reactions. It's because I've experienced both. I remember in 2008, when I was anxiously awaiting my fate from Motivate Canada. My friend had also applied, and when I arrived at school that week she had the first reaction all over her face. At that point, I couldn't wait to go home to check my e-mail. Needless to say, that day wasn't a happy day for me. On top of it all, I had to show my encouragement and support for my friend, when all I wanted to do was scream in frustration. I began questioning why I bothered applying in the first place. Why did I think I had a chance to attend such a conference? My conclusion that day was, clearly I wasn't good enough to be a part of such an inspiring and determined group of youth.
That's a pretty depressing conclusion that I came up with at the end of the day! Thankfully, I discovered a beautiful fact. I was a part of a generation that was and is geared for change. Just because I didn't get accepted didn't mean I didn't have what it took. It meant that there were so many youth that had what it took! Just because I didn't get accepted to the conference didn't mean I wasn't good enough, it meant that so many youth were good enough!
Needless to say, I ran with the beautiful fact I had discovered and waited patiently for Motivate Canada to promote the next ACTIVATE Conference. That's why in 2009 I applied again. It was a year later, I had another year of opportunities and experiences under my belt and I wasn't ready to throw in the towel. And it paid off, because that year I experienced the first reaction; that burst of excitement and a sense of accomplishment. I was a delegate for the ACTIVATE 2009 Conference.
And now I sit here, with the opportunity to share my stories and my thoughts to each of you reading. Why? Because I didn't let a rejection scare me away, nor did I let the acceptance to attend an ACTIVATE Conference be the last of my interactions with the Motivate Canada Organization.
We are a part of a generation that can make change. Some people may ask, why try? I ask, why not?
