Thoughtful Thursday
- Catherine Addor
- Nov 20
- 1 min read
On Unexpected Beginnings
“My first semester, I got a D in creative writing.” — Conrad Hall
There’s something quietly powerful about this confession from this celebrated cinematographer. A reminder that early grades, early judgments, and early stumbles are not prophecies. They’re simply moments (sometimes humbling, sometimes frustrating) that ask us to choose who we will become next.
A “D” doesn’t define creativity.
A critique doesn’t seal potential.
A setback doesn’t close the door (unless we stop walking toward it).
Conrad Hall didn’t let that grade become the boundary line of his talent. He continued to create, learn, and experiment, ultimately finding a medium that unlocked something greater than the evaluation on a single paper.
As educators, leaders, parents, and learners ourselves, it’s worth asking:
How often do we mistake a moment for a measure?
How many gifts begin quietly, disguised as struggle?
Where might a student (or we) be right on the edge of becoming, even if the feedback says otherwise?
Thoughtful Thursday reminder: The story is never the grade. The story is what we do next.
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