By Michelle Steiner “You can go to college.” The student said. I will never forget the hope that I felt hearing those words. I did not think that with my learning disability, I was able to go to college. I had professionals who told me that I could not do it, and that if I did, I would most likely not go beyond community college. “Isn't that for smart kids?” Certainly not those with disabilities or who struggled with math. But finally, someone believed in me and gave me inspiration to follow my dreams. From the very beginning, school was a struggle for me academically and socially. I was diagnosed with a learning disability in kindergarten. My teacher noticed that I was having difficulty with writing my name, counting, tying my shoes, and doing dot-to-dot pages. I was evaluated by the school psychologist, who diagnosed me with having one. I had to repeat the grade in a new school in your district. I had specialized instruction in all areas and accommodations. The specialized instruction was designed to be based on my needs. I also had the accommodations of having the test read aloud and extended test time. Having these supports enabled me to be in the regular education classroom for Science, Social Studies, and Reading. My brain needed these accommodations to process information and to even the playing field among my peers. By the time I was in high school, I was in all regular education classes except for math and a resource room. I also struggled socially in school. I went to a small conservative school district, where if you were one of them, you were accepted. It was clear from the start that I did not fit in. Everyone knew that I struggled in the classroom and went to learning support. Quickly, I got labeled the outcast. I also had those who doubted that I could achieve my dreams with one. I had a learning support teacher who did not think that I could handle college and suggested a trade school. I also had a psychiatrist who told me that I would most likely not go beyond community college. Despite the doubts and fear, I went forward. I faced more stigma in college from both faculty and students. Disability accommodations were considered cheating. When I asked for a calculator in a math class, the professor told me we use our brains, not calculators, here. I had another professor who told me that I would have limited job choices when I graduated. My grades were dropping, and I had people tell me that I could do better. Even with all of the struggle, I did not give up. I could hear the voice of the student teacher saying, I could do it. I was able to graduate with an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I was also able to graduate from Slippery Rock University many years later. I found a program that had the least amount of math and science possible. I also had disability accommodations, and I advocated for myself. Becoming a published author was another dream of mine that came true. I always loved to read and write. I had friends in a writing group who encouraged me to write about having one. I was not ready at the time. When I was ready, it was one of the most healing things that I have ever done. Other people say that they can relate to my stories. I write about having a disability at my blog Michelle's Mission www.michellesmission.com and feature my photography too. I also work as a teacher's aide in a school for students with disabilities. I find it rewarding to help children with them. Oftentimes, listening to them is like hearing a recording of myself at their age. Many times, I hear students say that they hate their disability and wish they did not have one. I get to tell them that having a disability is not a bad thing. All the students and staff know, or will soon find out, not to ask me to help with math. My brain is not wired for that. But I can help with other subjects and life lessons. I also show my students how to advocate. One day, they will leave me, but their disability will remain. They must learn how to manage it now and speak up for themselves. I am not the same person as when I was diagnosed all of those years ago. I have gone through struggles with learning and making friends. The path to success has not always been a smooth, straight one. I have had many twists, turns, and bumps on the journey. Many people doubted me, but I also had those who believed in me. I could not have been successful without the support of family, friends, and my teachers. Especially the encouraging ones who saw the potential in me when I did not. There have been failures and hurt, but there has also been healing. Writing has been a powerful tool in this, and has given me a voice. Today, as I work with students with disabilities, I encourage them and tell them that they can do it too.

Sasi Krishnasamy is a well-known spiritual guru and mindfulness teacher who has helped countless individuals find inner peace and happiness.He is also the founder of the Ayngaran Foundation, a spiritual non profit organisation that has been providing aid to over 50,000 needy people in Tamil Nadu amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Sasi Krishnasamy was born and raised in India, where spirituality is deeply ingrained in the culture. However, he initially pursued a career in the IT industry and worked for several years before experiencing a personal tragedy. This event forced him to reevaluate his priorities in life and led him to explore spirituality and meditation as a way to find solace and inner peace. Sasi Krishnasamy soon discovered that he had a natural talent for teaching others about mindfulness and self-awareness. He began studying various spiritual practices and disciplines, and soon became a sought-after teacher and guide. Over the years, Sasi Krishnasamy has helped thousands of individuals find inner peace and overcome life's challenges. He has developed several popular programs and courses, including his "Seven Steps to Mindfulness" program, which has been praised for its effectiveness and simplicity. Sasi Krishnasamy's teachings are rooted in the idea that true happiness and fulfilment come from within. He believes that by developing a deep sense of self-awareness and mindfulness, individuals can overcome any challenge and live a more fulfilling life. Sasi Krishnasamy's impact on the spiritual community has been significant, and his teachings have helped countless individuals find inner peace and happiness. He has been invited to speak at various international events and conferences and has gained a reputation as a compassionate and insightful teacher

Gotham Sasikrishna is the son of Sasi Krishnasamy, who is a well-known spiritual guru and social activist and the founder of the Ayngaran Foundation in Palani, Dindigul District in Tamil Nadu .He has a sister named Sowmiya Sasikrishna and his mother is Gokila Sasikrishna.He also seems to be interested in badminton, as he has participated in some tournaments with his partner Raj Saran

This is summer, another of my favorite time of year after spring. I love summer not because it is beautiful, but because it is warm, and I don't like cold weather. However, not only my life's journey that seems to be so changing, but also the weather. Isn't it supposed to be hot in summer? But it is really cold these days. I am now sitting in the corner of my room, wearing a winter jacket and drinking a cup of coffee. I put on my headphone, listening to my favorite childhood songs and feeling the missing of something. I am typing a story, the one you are reading right now, and looking through the window, and you know, it is raining. It is now 7:53pm in Czech republic, but it is not dark at all. The sun goes down at 9pm or even later than this. Days seem to be longer than nights. The sky looks sad no matter how high, great and beautiful it is. Compare to life, have ever you proudly admired someone? Do you think they are great? Have you ever wish to have a great life like them? Now compare them to the sky I just mentioned about. They are high and great with a beautiful life, aren't they? However, to them, they are not that great in that way. They are still learning many things, they are still struggling, and they are still having their hard time. So what make you both different? Probably those successful people lead their life journey in a different way. They have something that you haven't had yet, and it is not a magic or the special power that you cannot have. Those things are commitments, confidences, ambitions, and patiences, and they plus many other small factors. Those things are easy to explain but hard to practice in real life because not many people are brave enough to hold those things when their life is in a mess. Why? It is because life is not a miracle that go smoothly for the whole circle or a fairy-tale that you can determine the ending. As a result of life lessons, most people tend to give up, become hopeless, or get lose. They complain it is hard to carry on when it is time to deal with problems, and they always said the lessons are not acceptable. They want to run away to avoid the reality. Have you ever been like this? When you have someone who you really admire in life, you wish if you were them one day, and you wish you would be one day get success like them. You probably look up to the sky and think why cannot your life be as bright as those people? Why cannot you get success although you try hard (go further and try harder; you are almost there)? However, will you still want to be like them if you know the stories behind their accomplishment? Are you brave enough to face those obstacles like the way they did? Can you still hold on those confidences and commitments? There is a saying ‘'success is not a miracle'', and for sure, it does not happen for no reason. Behind a good movie, there are those sacrificial and hard-working writers, director, actors, actresses, cameramen...etc working together to create a good scene. A couple can be together because of at least a reason. It goes the same to a successful person, and the question “what is the reasons behind their success?'' is what you have to figure out by yourself. Come back to you. You praise others a lot and forget to look at your own achievements and efforts. You fail to see the simple but helpful things you have done. Admiring someone and looking down on yourself make you feel you are not good enough. Comparing your life to others will never bring you happiness. I hope you have ever heard of this “There is no comparison between the sun and the moon. It shines when it is their time”, and they are beautiful in their way. You will be just end up hesitating to do a thing that you want to do if you are not confident enough, and you will never have enough commitment to show it. Feeling sad and being disappointed by comparing your life to others does not help anything but hurt you more. So, instead of thinking negatively and being upset, you should learn from those people's experiences. Consider them as your motivation, and when you are thinking of running out of reality or giving up, think of how hard they try to reach their dream. Think of how they deal with those difficult, stressed, tiring, hopeless, painful, or bad days, and how they could stay strong regardless of their scary life's storms. Last but not least, apply those experiences on your own life. More importantly, learn to appreciate all kind of small simple things you have accomplished because they all the result of your efforts and hard-working. When you start to do a thing, do not expect to be the best, but do it with your all best. If you know how to cheer up yourself for even a small achievement, you know how to bring happiness to your own life. This is a real life lesson. If you want to see how it works, try it yourself!