MARKS

Sofia had always believed that the marks she wore were the ones that defined her. Growing up in a small town where everyone knew each other’s business, it felt like every decision, every mistake, and every failure was a mark on her character.

At school, she struggled to keep up with the others. Her classmates were whizzes at math, science, and the things that seemed to matter most. Sofia tried, really tried. But no matter how hard she studied, her grades were always average—never the A’s she saw others get. Her teachers would nod sympathetically but said nothing to encourage her, and her parents? They only saw the marks on the report card, the numbers that didn’t add up to the success they dreamed for her.

Her best friend, Aisha, would tell her, “Sofia, it’s not the grades that matter. It’s the effort, right?” But Sofia could never shake off the pressure. Every time someone praised Aisha for her excellent grades or talked about Sofia’s “potential,” it felt like another mark on her soul, another reminder of how she hadn’t lived up to expectations. Those marks didn’t just show up on paper—they followed her everywhere.

One cold evening, Sofia found herself wandering around a new art gallery in the city. She had always loved art, but it was something she had never felt confident enough to pursue seriously. After all, she thought, what was the point of painting or designing if you didn’t have the grades or the right credentials to back it up?

But that day was different. She roamed through the gallery, her eyes soaking in the vibrant colors and abstract shapes. Each piece spoke to her in a way she couldn’t describe, drawing emotions and thoughts she’d buried deep inside.

Then she overheard a conversation between two artists near one of the paintings.

“You know,” one of the artists said, “people judge us by the marks we leave—whether it’s on a canvas or a report card. They focus on the end product, on the awards, the recognition. But the real magic lies in the mindset, the creativity, and the skills you develop to get there. Your marks? They’re just temporary. What stays with you is the mindset you cultivate and the creativity you pour into everything you do.”

Sofia felt her heart race as the words hit her like a wave. She had spent so much time letting the marks define her. It had never occurred to her that she could redefine the way she saw herself—by focusing on what she could control: her mindset, creativity, and skills.

The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. All this time, Sofia had been chasing perfect marks, perfect grades, the approval of others. But what if the key wasn’t to avoid failure, but to embrace it and use it to grow? What if those so-called “marks” were nothing but stepping stones?

Sofia decided right then and there that she was going to change her approach to life. She wasn’t going to let the weight of her past mistakes, or the marks on her report card, hold her back anymore. She was going to put everything she had into developing her skills—starting with her passion for design.

At first, it was hard. She wasn’t great at it. Her designs were clumsy, awkward, and far from the sleek, polished works she admired. Every time she looked at her early projects, she saw the marks of her inexperience—unfinished ideas, mistakes she couldn’t erase. But instead of quitting, she pushed herself harder. She took online courses, worked late into the night, and spent hours sketching, designing, experimenting.

As she learned, her mindset shifted. She no longer saw failure as a reflection of her worth. She saw it as a lesson. “Every mark I make,” she thought, “is one step closer to the version of myself I want to be.”

Slowly, she started to gain confidence in her work. Her designs improved, and soon, people took notice. She got her first freelance job, then another, and another. Her portfolio began to fill up with projects—some good, some not-so-great, but all of them reflecting her journey. She stopped caring about the marks others thought she should have and focused on creating work that felt true to herself.

Years later, Sofia became a well-known graphic designer, recognized for her innovative approach and her ability to think outside the box. Her designs didn’t follow the trends—they created them. But what mattered most was how she viewed her journey. The marks of her past—the missed opportunities, the low grades, the doubters—no longer had any power over her.

When she looked back, Sofia realized that those marks were never the measure of her worth. The key to her success was in her mindset, her creative vision, and the skills she worked tirelessly to hone.

And when someone asked her, “How did you make it? What’s your secret?” Sofia would smile and say, “It’s simple. It’s not about the marks you get. It’s about what you do with them. The mindset, the creativity, and the skills are what really matter.”