Behind every successful man are dark seasons, bitter experiences and misfortunes many will never wish to experience in life. Most times we hear about their success stories but only few cares to hear about their failures in life. It is necessary to share the dark seasons of their lives in order to know about their humble beginning and also to know that there is a glorious destiny ahead of everyone in spite of ugly beginning. This requires perseverance, focus, consistency and strong faith in your dream.
In the early 19th century, Charles Dickens was born into a family of eight. He was the second in the family of eight. His father was a pay clerk in the navy office. Because of financial difficulties, the family moved about until they settled in Camden town, a poor neighbourhood in London England. The early life of Charles Dickens was blighted by poverty. He aspired to be a writer, but everything seemed to be against him. He only attended school for four years. His father was imprisoned in Marshalsea debtors’ prison because he could not pay his debts. At 12, he was forced to work at Warren’s Blacking factory, pasting labels on shoe polish containers to provide for the family. Most times, he slept in a dismal attic room with two other boys from the slums of London.
He had so little confidence in his ability to write that he sneaked out and mailed his first manuscript in the dead of night so that nobody would laugh at him. Many of his stories were refused. But finally, the great day came when one of his stories was accepted. Though he paid for it, one editor praised him and this inspired him to write again and again. This recognition by the editor paved way for him. It was a shot that took him out of obscurity to limelight.
In 1836, Dicken published his first story “A DINNER AT POPLAR WALK” in the monthly magazine. His strives to become wealthy took him out of penury to become the most successful writer of his time and one of the wealthiest self-made men in England. He penned the award-winning novel, “A TALE OF TWO CITIES”, the story of the French Revolution.
Do not allow the present condition to kill the seed of life in you. Life will never give you what you desire to have; it is only those who strive with life that will ever get what they desired in life. You are the key to unlock your glorious destiny.