Today i worked my last day on the fast-food restaurant. It was a day filled with highs and lows, people who treated me like shit, and people who were polite and nice to me. I treated them all the same. I observed the frequency behind the face, and gave them the best service i could. Working with people must be the hardest thing in the world, it is almost impossible not to be affected. But i have done my best at that job, and i think it is because of that, God gave me the perfect job for me, at the salmon-restaurant.
When i came home i checked my emails, and one of them stood out from the rest to say the least. It was from Lund University, congratulating me for being accepted into the Bachelor’s Program in Mathematics. It was surreal. I accepted the offer right away, and all of a sudden my dreams became true. When i began this journey, by quitting my job at my Fathers company as a Tiler, i would have never in my mind guessed that i would study Mathematics at the best University in Northern Europe. But here i am.
The work is far from done, but i am at a landmark that i will celebrate for a long time, or until i start at the University. I am prepared to work harder than i have done in the past. But i will do something i have grown to love, i will create my future and spend my days with people that has the same interest. It is a strange feeling, getting what you want. I feel so balanced now days, but to just think of my journey is more than enough for me.
First of all, i would like to thank Janet Swerdlow. This woman has from across the Atlantic Ocean, inspired, mentored, taught, and gave me more help than anyone in my life have ever given me. She has been my Northern Star trough this whole journey, and i am pretty sure that things would have been different, hasn’t she been there with her wisdom. Thank you Janet, you are the wisest human being i know, i am forever grateful.
What do you think of when you think of a Mathematician?
What are you relationship with Mathematics?
Do some of you have similar experiences, getting what you want?
7 comments. Leave new
Congratulations Markus!!! That is wonderful and inspiring! I’m pretty sure you are the first Mathmetician I know.
I remember in the third grade I was sick for a few days and missed the first days of time tables and fractions. It was basic, but I felt an enormous fear that I could never catch up. I was too shy to ask for help and got by. I always got by just enough to go under radar.
I remember in my first year of high school I sort of understood my Math class and enjoyed the process of Math but I just didn’t understand how to relate it to everyday and keep the process and steps active.
Your story of your jobs has helped me prepare for my upcoming part time job. I feel gratitude and that I am surpassing many of the situations and moods I have fallen into with previous jobs. I feel stronger in my focus and my balance with my present. Thank you!
Mathematician calls forward an image of a studious explorer of another language. I do have a question. What is Math? I feel like it is a study of the unseen mechanics of our world.
Thank you, Markus, for the beautiful compliment! It is your mind-pattern that is drawing to you the support that you need. 🙂 And congratulations for your acceptance into university! You are following an important dream and bringing it into realization. Both my sons are also mathematicians. To me, Math is the Language of the Universe. Everything in existence can be explained with Math! I look forward to hearing of more successes, even when this may mean 3 steps back to spring forward! It is all part of the process! 🙂
Congrats on getting out of the restaurant, I was always mistreated at mine too when working in food service. I was always really good at mathematics but not interested in it as a job. After a certain level I began to lose interest in it and it began to lose it’s relevance to my daily life.
Those jobs really puts your character up to the test, a lot of people need both the jobs and the lessons. But i am glad to have surpassed the need to be there. Awesome, Mathematics is a never ending story.
Thank you Alison, i am not ready to start calling myself a Mathematician yet, but i will give it my all to become a great one. You know, i had know interest what so ever in Mathematics when i went to school. So my learning curve has been ridiculously steep, but the more i study, the more i want to understand. The biggest problem with Math is how it is taught in school, only those who figure out on their own, how vast the subject is, deepen their knowledge at an early age. The Math in school is very arrogant and doesn’t make the subject fun. You as an artist must know how related Mathematics is with art, many great artists use Mathematics in their paintings. Symmetry is a big deal in Math as well as art. The golden ratio is found trough out Leonardo Da Vinci´s work for example.
You will do fine Alison, what you send out will come back to you. Yes, people can be “challenging”, but it is an important skill to socialize on all levels of society, it will make you more confident in your social skills. I believe in you:)
Well, it depends who you ask, you will probably get a different answer every time. But for me, Math is the absolute essence of reality. It actually is a language, the language of the universe. It describes the universe in its most distilled form. It can be applied to physical reality and to non physical reality, parts of Math tends to be similar to philosophy or logic. For me, it is a way to understand the universe.
I agree that the Math and probably most subjects are taught in a way that I think closes off further study or definitely doesn’t entice someone to move forward into it. There never seemed continuum. Maybe because from year to year there were different teachers and no real lasting mentor that brings you through each field and can develop a clear direction and synchronicity within all subjects. Defining the development of a subject as one gets more experience is important. I always was jealous of those in Advanced Placement because they seemed to be cared for better in a way than those who struggled. But the grass can be greener.
You will find a strong support system and lasting friendships within your field and others. University is an amazing time to cultivate those bonds. When I was working on my Bachelors and Masters I made some significant friendships. It was an immersion with people that I at times miss. I was going through so much at that time and at times wish I had waited and took a few years off to learn how to live life. However, I needed those growing lessons how they happened and now I am stronger within and moving forward with my art and life in the most balanced way now. I am asking questions now, planning for my best outcome and being flexible and self caring. Its all me now, no outer expectations from others.
I think of my little niece who can utilize all of my lessons and knowledge for her benefit and how she will be stronger and have a mentor for life 🙂
It is funny how one who is good in Math is immediately recognized as “intelligent”, the same person may not be able to tie its own shoelaces. It is a skill. We get good at what we do. But the flawed education system doesn’t just affect Math, it is everything really, every subject gets dull and confusing, maybe that is the point so you’ll drop off and become even easier to control?
That gives me much confidence to hear about your great experience of University. Well, there is no “right” path to anything, only “your” path, right? I know i have many years in the subject to catch up with, but i will inevitably see the subject through different eyes. Expansions and Metaphysics really makes you see whatever you do in totally different light. It blends with everything you do. I love that. Your niece is lucky to have you around, you have a great mind Alison. I think we are often seen as strange people at first, but as we get closer to people, they get curious and start to ask questions, and there is where our strength lays. We are “safe” people:)