I want to share an inspiring true story with you…
George Dantzig was a mathematics graduate student at a time when job opportunities were incredibly scarce in the United States. His math professor, who also headed the department, announced that the student with the highest grade on the final exam would have the chance to work as his research assistant for the following year—a highly coveted position.
George studied intensely for the test, staying up until the middle of the night. Unfortunately, he overslept and arrived late to the exam. Despite his tardiness, he was given the test and took a seat in the back of the room. The exam consisted of eight math problems, which George solved fairly easily. However, when he glanced at the blackboard, he noticed two additional problems. Copying them down, he began working on them but couldn’t solve either.
As he struggled, George thought, Someone in this room will solve these problems. Why not me? Despite his best efforts, the problems remained unsolved by the end of the exam period. Some students requested extra time, and the professor agreed, allowing them to return the test by Friday. George, determined to crack the problems, took his test home as well.
For the next few days, George worked tirelessly—through Monday, Tuesday, and into Wednesday. He couldn’t shake the thought that someone would solve the problems, and he repeatedly asked himself, Why not me? By Thursday morning, he finally solved one of the problems. Pushing himself even harder, George continued working until late Thursday night, and by Friday morning, he had solved the second problem as well. He turned in the test just before the deadline, unsure of what the outcome would be.
Early Sunday morning, George was awoken by a knock at his door. It was his professor, brimming with excitement. “George, you’ve made mathematical history!” the professor exclaimed. “I’ve been thinking—weren’t you late to the test?”
George, worried, asked, “Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” replied the professor, “but I want to tell you something. The eight questions on the test were the actual exam. I mentioned to the class afterward that if they wanted a fun challenge, the two problems on the board were unsolved math problems—even Einstein couldn’t solve them! How did you manage to do it?”
George explained that if he had known ahead of time that those problems were considered impossible, he would have approached them differently. His belief in the possibility of solving them unlocked his access to the solutions within himself.
What’s incredible about this story is that the same ability to overcome the impossible exists in all of us—especially survivors of domestic abuse.
I may not know the specific challenges you’re facing, but I do know this: You are connected to something far greater than your past circumstances. You have the power to rebuild your life, to reclaim your strength, and to become everything you’ve ever wanted to be.
Just like George, you can solve problems that may seem impossible. The key is staying open to the possibilities, even when the odds seem against you.
After enduring domestic abuse, it can feel like your challenges are insurmountable, but remember: no problem is without a solution. Keep your heart and mind open, and trust that the way forward is within you.
