"REDEFINING MY OWN WORTH" BY SILONG, HERBIE BERWEN B.
"Redefining my worth"
The idea of being “created in the likeness of God,” as expressed in the poster I made, deeply resonated with me. Through this reflection paper, I want to share my experience as a student who has always struggled to keep up with the so-called “smart students.”
During my junior high school years, I faced many challenges—particularly with adjustment. Coming from the pandemic, we transitioned from online to face-to-face classes, and that shift wasn’t easy for me. I found it difficult to catch up with classmates who seemed to understand lessons so quickly. I often felt ashamed and embarrassed, like I was faking my academic achievements. Back in Grade 6 and Grade 7, I received “With Honors” and felt genuinely proud. But by Grade 8, things started to go downhill. The rest of junior high school became a constant effort to prove that I was still “good enough.”
What pushed me forward was the motivation to aim higher—not for the sake of praise, but as a way of expressing that I am created in God’s likeness. My challenges became the fuel that drove me to grow—with God’s guidance, self-discipline, and self-respect. In those long days and late nights of studying, and in the joyful moments with my friends, I found a light of hope. That light reminded me that I wasn’t alone—I had people who supported and guided me.
This journey wasn’t about awards or recognition; it was a personal commitment I made to the Lord. I promised that no matter what happens, I would continue to thrive. Through this experience, I discovered that I have potential. I gained confidence in myself, and it felt like God gave me a second chance to prove that I am worthy—not in comparison to others, but in my own right.
At first, I constantly looked down on myself. I told myself I couldn’t do it. I struggled with low self-esteem, and even now, I sometimes fall into the trap of comparing myself to others. I believed I could never be like them. That was my limited perspective. But when I started seeking the opinions of others—my friends, teachers, and mentors—I began to realize that I am capable. I just needed the courage to step outside my comfort zone.
My friends encouraged me to do more. My teachers acknowledged and praised some of my work. Those small acts reminded me that I’m not weak—I’m someone who can adapt and grow. Not easily, but surely. Seeing myself from a more holistic point of view helped me realize that with the right people, the guidance of my parents, and God’s presence, I can overcome anything.
For a long time, I thought achieving awards was the only way to prove that I was good enough. I believed I wasn’t talented in anything else. Sure, I can sing, dance, and play a few instruments, but I never truly mastered any of them. It felt like I was just trying things out but never sticking with them. That led me to believe that academics were my only strength. And even then, I feared that striving academically wouldn’t guarantee success or fulfillment.
Eventually, I realized that this belief was just my opinion of myself—not the truth. I had convinced myself that awards were the ultimate measure of my worth. But conversations with my friends and teachers helped me see otherwise. They reminded me that having awards doesn’t guarantee a smooth life, and not having them doesn’t make someone any less valuable. That’s when I began to separate my self-worth from achievements and external validation.
Through this process, I learned to humble myself and see the truth: my value isn’t defined by what I accomplish but by who I am—and that identity is grounded in being created in the image and likeness of God.
Pursuing the award “With High Honors” became more than an academic goal—it became a personal journey of growth and faith. I realized my worth through a holistic lens. In the end, all my hard work paid off. After rediscovering my value, I became more confident and eventually earned the award I had long aimed for in Grades 9 and 10.
Lastly, I’ve learned that patience is key. No matter how hard life gets, I will continue to pursue who I want to become—because I believe that’s what God wants me to do. With His guidance, I know I will achieve it.