From struggles to success: A journey rooted in persistence

By Henrylito D. Tacio

When I have nothing to do, especially when the sky darkens and rain begins to fall, I read. Rain has a way of slowing life down, of inviting reflection, of nudging us toward quiet corners where books wait patiently.

This time, the book I pulled from my shelf was written by the master storyteller himself, Zig Ziglar. The title—take a deep breath before reading it—Something to Smile About: Encouragement and Inspiration for Life’s Ups and Downs.

Ziglar’s book is a treasury of stories meant to uplift, encourage, and remind readers that life’s storms often carry hidden blessings. Of all the stories featured, one stood out for me—found on page 155—because it talked about a writer. And not just any writer, but one whose struggles mirrored the journey many of us know too well.

The Writer Who Refused to Give Up

For eight long years, a struggling writer produced an incredible number of short stories and articles. He wrote with passion, discipline, and hope. Yet for eight long years, every single piece was rejected. Not one was accepted for publication.

Eight years. Hundreds of manuscripts. Zero acceptance.

Most people would have quit. But this writer didn’t. He persisted, even when persistence seemed foolish. America—and the world—would later be grateful that he did.

During his time in the navy, he wrote countless routine reports and letters. It was there he learned how to say things eloquently yet concisely. After leaving the service, he tried desperately to make it as a writer. But despite his efforts, he remained unpublished.

Then came a turning point—not a big break, not a contract, not a check. Just a small handwritten note on a rejection slip. It said simply: “Nice try.”

Those two words brought tears to his eyes. It was the first time anyone had acknowledged his effort. It was the first sign that maybe—just maybe—he was getting better. That tiny spark of encouragement fueled him to continue.

Finally, after years of struggle, he wrote a book that would deeply affect the entire world and make him one of the most influential writers of the 1970s.

The book was Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The writer was Alex Haley.

Roots became a cultural phenomenon. Its television adaptation became one of the most-watched miniseries of all time. Haley also co-authored The Autobiography of Malcolm X, another landmark work.

Ziglar’s story about Haley is a reminder that success is rarely instant. It is often the product of years of unseen labor, quiet perseverance, and faith in one’s calling. As Ziglar himself once said, “Failure is an event, not a person.”

Reading Haley’s story made me think of someone I personally know—someone whose life also proves that perseverance can rewrite destiny.

From Banana Cue Vendor to New York Immigration Lawyer

The true story of my friend, Atty. Nicolas “Nick” M. Caraquel, came to mind. Poverty didn’t deter him from becoming what he is now—one of New York’s most sought-after immigration lawyers.

There is a popular saying: Poverty is no hindrance to success. Nick Mabale Caraquel has proven this. From being a small boy selling banana cue in his hometown in Davao Oriental to becoming a respected legal eagle in New York City, Nick’s journey is a testament to grit, faith, and relentless determination.

“Poverty is a source of motivation in itself,” Nick told me. “You can become creative in finding ways to get out of poverty.”

Nick grew up in San Isidro, Davao del Norte. He was the sixth of seven siblings. His father was a barber; his mother, a seamstress. Everyone had to work. “I can barely remember spending time with the first three siblings because of age gap and the fact that they too were working students,” he recalled. “Everyone had ample share in helping our parents earn a living.”

Nick was only six when he started helping the family make ends meet. Every day at 4 a.m., his father would wake him up. Sleepy and still wanting to rest, he had no choice but to get up and help his mother prepare for their barbecue vending at the bus terminal.

From their house, he walked alone to the terminal to gather used barbecue sticks from the ground. He washed them clean because the family could not afford to buy new ones.

Even then, the family barely made it.

When Nick was in third grade, his parents asked him to quit school. He was devastated. “I didn’t talk to them for six months,” he said. “I could not understand why I needed to stop going to school.”

But that painful moment taught him the value of hard work, determination, and patience. “I get inspiration from my mother,” he shared. “She reminded me that education is the only way out of poverty.”

Nick believed that finishing school was his ticket to a better life. He completed elementary school, and when he was graduating from high school, the government launched the State Scholarship Program (SSP) for poor but deserving students. He took the qualifying exams and became one of only 13 SSP scholars nationwide, representing Davao Oriental.

The scholarship allowed him to study at Ateneo de Davao University, where he took up Industrial Engineering. It wasn’t easy, but he graduated.

After college, he worked for one of the world’s top food manufacturing companies and was assigned to Cagayan de Oro City. But his childhood dream of becoming a lawyer never left him. With the money he saved, he pursued law at Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan).

Nick became a top corporate lawyer. But office politics pushed him to seek greener pastures in the United States. With persistence—and prayers—he passed the New York bar exam.

“All my life,” he said, “I am guided by prayers in every major decision I make. It’s a trait I learned from my mother. I always ask for God’s sign to give me confidence that the decisions I make are aligned with His.”

Today, Atty. Caraquel is one of New York’s finest immigration lawyers. He helps people come, stay, and live legally in the United States. He assists those who want to regain or maintain lawful status. In the future, he plans to expand his practice, possibly into family law.

The Power of Persistence

Nick’s story, like Alex Haley’s, is a reminder that success is not born from comfort. It grows from struggle. It is shaped by early mornings, long walks, rejection slips, and prayers whispered in the dark.

Haley persisted despite eight years of rejection. Nick persisted despite poverty, exhaustion, and uncertainty. Their stories echo Zig Ziglar’s timeless reminder: “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Nick offers this advice to anyone facing hardship: “Do not look at poverty as a reason or excuse to stop dreaming big. Work hard to make those dreams a reality. I know it is not easy; there are times you will feel like giving up. When that time comes, seek something or someone who inspires you. When the burden gets tougher, kneel down and pray. Rest if you must, but don’t give up. Chase that dream and have faith.”

Life’s greatest stories are often written in the margins of struggle. Whether it is Alex Haley writing through eight years of rejection or Nick Caraquel waking up at dawn to wash used barbecue sticks, the message is the same: Persistence turns impossibility into destiny.

When life rains on us, perhaps the best thing to do is what Ziglar suggests—find something to smile about, keep going, and trust that every step forward, no matter how small, is part of a much bigger story.—###