1, 289; 4,337; 5,626 ano ba ang mga bilang na ito? Huwag na huwag kayong magkakamaling itaya yan sa lotto.

Hindi yan ang purpose ng mga numbers na ibinigay ko.

5,626 – total number of Bar examinees in 2007

1,289 – bilang ng mga pumasa

4,337 – bilang ng mga hindi pinalad 

Like the 4,337 who didn't make it to the 2007 Bar exams, marami sa atin ang hindi rin naman nakakamit ang ating mga mithiin sa unang subok natin.

- Abraham Lincoln lost in numerous elections before he became the most remembered and respected president of the United States of America. He lost in the elections but never did he lose heart. He pressed on until he achieved his goal.

- Albert Einstein was once labeled a difficult and slow learner. Many years after, he was recognized as a genius!

- Bill Gates was a school drop-out. Pero isa siya ngayon sa pinakamayaman at pinakamatagumpay na negosyante at pilantropo.

- My husband, Atty. Aldwin Salumbides passed the bar exams on his first take. But it was a different story when it came to courtship. Pagkatapos ng limang taon at apat na beses na pagkabasted, bago niya nakamit ang aking matamis na "Oo". Ang motto ng mga lalaking ito, "Try and try again!"

Why should we try again? Allow me to suggest 3 reasons:

1) We should try again because God's plan is perfect and his timing is best. God's plan is perfect but is doesn't mean that it's easy. Trust that you still haven't gotten what you desire because God has a better plan for you now. This is not sour- graping. This is trusting the sovereign will of God. Maraming beses sa buhay na from hindsight nasasabi nating, "Buti na lang hindi ibinigay sa akin ni God ang hinihingi ko sa kanya noon kasi may mas maganda pala siyang plano para sa akin."

2) We should try again because setbacks are just temporary. We should not allow setbacks to define our future. Delays don't mean "no go". Maaaring sinasabi lang nito sa atin na maghintay tayo o maghihinay-hinay muna sa buhay.

3) We should try again because failures are simply preparations for bigger challenges and brighter successes in life. A friend who didn't make it to the 2007 Bar exams optimistically told me, "Maybe, I didn't make it to the Bar this year because He wants me to get a higher score next year!" I know of someone who was wait-listed on his entrance exam for post-graduate studies in a particular university. As a result, he deferred his enrolment, worked for a year while preparing for his back to school stint. He met his future wife while working, got the degree that he wanted and is now successful in his field of work. God's plan is perfect and his timing is purposeful.

You may just be recovering from a heart-breaking experience or you may be nursing a fresh wound from an unsuccessful feat. Don't lose heart. Try and try again! The Bible says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)