Not every victory came in grand moments.
Sometimes, the most important wins were the smallest ones—quiet, almost unnoticeable, yet powerful enough to keep you moving forward.
Akutu had spent weeks wrestling with doubt, unsure if she was truly capable of the future she envisioned.
But then, little things started to change.
The first win came in a class discussion.
For weeks, she had hesitated to speak, afraid that her thoughts weren't polished enough, that others would outshine her.
But that day, when the professor posed a question about global economic policies, something inside her said—just try.
She raised her hand.
And when she spoke, people listened.
The professor nodded in approval. One of her classmates even turned to her after class and said, "That was a great point."
It was small, but it mattered.
The second win came when she submitted a research proposal.
She had spent days doubting her ideas, wondering if they were worthy enough.
When she finally turned it in, she braced herself for criticism.
Instead, her professor wrote: This is an excellent topic. Keep going.
Keep going.
Two simple words, but they lifted something inside her.
The third win came when she helped a younger student in her program.
He was struggling with an assignment Akutu had already completed months ago. She sat with him, patiently explaining the concepts.
When he finally understood, his face lit up.
"Thank you," he said. "You're really good at this."
And for the first time in weeks, Akutu felt like she was good at something.
Like she belonged.
That night, as she reflected, she realized something important.
Doubt had tried to convince her that she wasn't enough.
But these small wins—
They were proof that she was more than enough.
The pulleys of life had shifted once again.