(Picture: https://ryver.com/the-power-of-persistence-perseverance-and-tenacity-for-the-entrepreneur/)
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Today is one of those days that are more than ordinary. I want to capture and conserve the moment as the memory and emotions are still vivid and fresh, before the impending and merciless passage of time buries them into oblivion. Looking back into writings is a wonderful glimpse in the past.

Why Steadfastness? Because of a personal success of today. It is a colossal personal victory that has an enormous impact and importance for me. Today is the day I passed the exam to obtain what is called “legal capacity” in Bulgaria. In most countries, this means that you are a certified legal professional, with the right to practice. In essence, a lawyer. How did I get here?

In brief, starting in November 2017, to obtain it, I had to:

-        translate all my diplomas and transcripts from my education

-        apply to a State institution to recognise them

-        appeal against their decision (twice), as I was initially asked to do 10 exams and three State exams. State exams are particularly onerous, essentially bringing you back to year 1, as if you never studied law. I appealed them. Successfully.

-        I was tasked to only take 7 (eventually 9) quite voluminous exams of Bulgarian law. I did that in about 1.5-2 months in total. Each exam is linked to further individual administration and filings.

-        Then a 6-months “internship” in the Ministry of Justice, with numerous visits to about 10 different institutions (prosecution, notaries, civil courts, criminal courts, etc.)

-        And today, 18.04.2019, the final exam before I could call myself a “lawyer” in the Republic of Bulgaria.

I remember well how all the above looked back in November 2017 –inconceivable. So much was ahead. Each individual step above cost amounts of effort, time, energy and focus hard to explain, certainly not in a brief blogpost. Those who are more familiar with Bulgaria’s systems (administration, education), would know enough to grasp the intensity of the “exercise”. There were moments of despair, humiliations (some of the examiners didn’t miss the chance to do that), and hundreds of hours of endless studies. Yet, I never stopped or gave up.

While this is obviously a story directly and almost unhumbly linked to my personal life, I want to emphasise something outside my very own prism.

It is the perseverance.

I have lived (yet again) the blunt truth that, if you have a goal and if you work for it, it shall ultimately come true. I don’t want it to sound like a cheesy US film of “you can make your (American? 😊) dream come true!”, or “ you can do it”. It is more about the silent steadfastness of simply going ahead. Time flies. If you keep a direction, in small steps taken – the destination will eventually, and inevitably, be reached.

Today is a day of rejoice for me, of utter satisfaction, deserved and hard-earned. The rightful ending of the bumpiest possible journey. Objectively, it is simply a document - I am a lawyer. Subjectively, it is my own victory. Yet another life lesson.  

Be consistent, be persistent. Persevere and carry on in the direction you choose. 

Thank you for your time :)