This post is for those who didn't make it but will surely make it.

Yes, I did not pass the exam on my first take. I passed it on my third attempt.

But let me tell you this: One day, you will thank God that He didn't let you pass the recent board exam.

I remember last October 2016 when the results were about to be released. I was hoping to pass but I wasn't expecting to pass. I studied of course and did everything that I could. Prayer has always been my greatest armor. Just a small background, I was the kind of student that wasn't competitive when it comes to grades. I settle for any grade as long as I passed. I wasn't even that bright and intelligent unlike a lot of students that we think were born to become CPAs. I remember praying to God to let me be an inspiration to others that even those "not so bright in Accounting" can pass and become CPAs. Results were out, I didn't pass. Unexpectedly, I didn't cry. I even felt more sorry to my friends that I thought could undoubtedly pass.

If I just think for myself, I can bare failing the exam because I know it's not the end of everything. But as much as we think for ourselves, we also think for the people behind us. Our family, and/or those who finance our education and review. It's like a moral responsibility of us to make them proud and help them one day by being a CPA. It's a natural feeling. And if there's one thing I learned on my first take, it's this: "We should not deprive ourselves from feeling pain but we should practice optimism." So I decided to continue the journey.

This time, I prayed to God to let me be an inspiration to others by being a passer on my second attempt. My parents and family were very supportive of me that's why I tripled my efforts on studying. It's not my battle anymore. It's my family's battle, too. When results were to be released, I now HOPE and EXPECT to pass. Guess what, I didn't. I didn't cry, even. But I allowed myself to feel the shame. The shame I have for myself because I have failed my family again. They say "It's okay. There are a lot of chances." But our ego will always have something to say. "No, it's not okay because you've spent a lot of money already and I can't afford myself another disappointment by taking another exam."- I thought to myself.

But family's a family. They got my back. The greatest support system one could have. If there's something I have learned during my second take, it's "Being a CPA is a group effort and God is the leader."

...oh, plot twist. I was a conditional passer.

OCTOBER 2017

This time around, I ultimately made it sure. It has to be my last exam and no more. I prayed again to God to make me an inspiration to others. Just an inspiration.

Yes, I passed and this time, tears rolled on my face. And my ultimate lesson learned was "Don't plan your life and ask for God to bless it. Instead, ask God to bless you to follow His plan."

And I thank God He didn't let me pass last October 2016 and May 2017. Because if He did, I wouldn't meet the amazing people who I made friends with during this journey and I wouldn't have these great realizations to ponder today and for the rest of my life.

To those who didn't make it, allow yourself to feel the pain. Because I tell you, the joy you should've felt when you passed the recent exam will be thousand times when you already pass it in the future.

#CPAinGodsPerfectTime