I always recall the moments when I would complain to my mother about the latest gadgets or clothing items I needed.

And even though I am 23 years old, I still run to my mommy whenever I feel I “need” something of importance.

When I recall all those strange things I thought needed, I now laugh because I realise that I didn’t need them as I thought I did.

But now that I am older, and a lot wiser, I know what I long for and need has completely changed.

Now it is about my future and my career, where I see myself in the next few years and what I hope to achieve.

But the road to self-fulfillment is long, and, along the way, one is destined to find a few stumbling blocks which we may categorise as failures.

On Friday, November 7, during the Caxton Cadet School graduation ceremony, I received a treasure.

Gien Elsas, Caxton Academy principal, presented all the cadets with beautiful stones and told us to pick the ones we liked the most.

She proceeded to tell us that those stones will symbolise what we are most grateful for.

So when we feel like we have failed, and can not see a way out of the negative space, we should hold our stones and remind ourselves of what we are most grateful for.

This will remind us that – even through our stumbling blocks – there is a lot that we have achieved.

And we should look to our stones for support as we pick ourselves up and try again.

I have already used my stone, which I would like to think of as my cherished jewel, and it has reminded me of what I have achieved, and, mostly importantly, what I am still to achieve.

So find your “cherished jewel” and let it remind you of the many amazing things you have achieved and are about to achieve. ZM