Life experience: The power of Determination
I have had quite a lot of life experiences worth sharing, but let me share this particular one, hoping that we can all learn something valuable from it.
I am the type of person who, once I set my mind on a goal, I pursue it with determination, no matter the challenges that may come my way. As a spinster before I became a mother, i made a personal decision that whenever I'm blessed with children, I would practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their lives. I had read about its benefits and believed it was the best foundation I could give my future children.
After my wedding, when I had my first child, the reality of motherhood came with both joy and pressure. Being a first-time mum, I found myself surrounded by advice from almost everyone, family, friends, neighbors, and even health workers. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on how I should feed and care for my baby. When I started exclusive breastfeeding, almost everyone around me discouraged me. Some felt it was unnecessary, while others believed it would be too stressful or that my baby would not get enough nutrition. Even some nurses expressed doubts...
Despite all the discouragement, I stood firm in my decision. I reminded myself of the commitment I made and the reasons behind it. The journey was not easy, there were sleepless nights, moments of self-doubt, and times when I felt overwhelmed. Yet, I did not allow those challenges or the voices of discouragement to sway me
A few years later, I had another life-changing experience. When I went for a scan during one of my pregnancies, I was told I was carrying twins. I was overjoyed but also aware that it would come with even greater responsibility. I told my husband right away that I was going to exclusively breastfeed the twins for six months. He looked at me with surprise and said, “It’s not possible.” But then, knowing the kind of determination I had, he quickly added, “If anyone can do it, it’s you and I will give you my full support.”
When the twins arrived, the voices of discouragement were louder than ever. Almost everyone around me believed it was impossible to breastfeed twins exclusively. Some said it would wear me out, others insisted the babies would not get enough milk. Even people who meant well kept reminding me of how “difficult” it would be.
But like I have always believed, once I set my mind on a goal, I don’t back down. Despite the doubts and the pressure, I chose to stand firm. The journey was not without its struggles
By God’s grace and with my husband’s support, I did it. For six months, I successfully and exclusively breastfed my twins. The result was worth every challenge, my babies grew healthy, strong, and full of life.
What amazed me most was how the story turned around. The very same people who once discouraged me became the ones singing my praises. Today, whenever the topic of exclusive breastfeeding comes up, I am often used as a reference point. Those who once said, “It is not possible,” now use my story to encourage other mothers.
This experience taught me a priceless lesson: determination backed with discipline can silence doubt and inspire others. Sometimes, people will not believe in your dream until you prove it by your actions. And when you succeed, the same voices that doubted you may become the voices that celebrate you.