Growing up, I always admired my parents commitment to success and

therefore, this sense of dedication was passed down to me. I strive to live up
to their expectations and hopefully exceed them while I am emerging into
adulthood (page 199). Due to my fear of failure, ambition has shone from
within me. Failure can have both positive and negative effects, resulting in
learning what not to do, but also ruining ones confidence. I have
experienced failure first hand through my personal and academic life, which
has shaped (page 277) my behavior choices and altered my perspective.
In middle school, my love for chemistry sparked when I first entered the
science fair. While every other student turned in the tired baking soda
volcano, I was the first to tackle osmosis. At the age of twelve, I understood
the basic complexities of the breakdown of solid calcium carbonate crystals.
My chemical understanding did not dissipate throughout my remaining
middle and high school years; instead, I developed a passion for higher
learning in the study. Sophomore year I experienced my first authentic
chemistry class, consisting of molecular conversions and the formation of
ionic compounds. To some, the transfer of electrons from a metal to a nonmetal is considered tedious; however, to me, achieving an octet and creating
a stable compound is a form of relief. Chemistry inspired my devotion to
learning and prompted me to pursue a career in the scientific field. When
applying to colleges with the mindset of nothing interfering with my goals,
my hopes were unexpectedly shot down. I was advised to change my
chemistry major to a chemical science major when pursuing a

pharmaceutical program because of time and difficulty. That suggestion

alone demolished what I thought I was capable of. Going through maturation
(page 172), I thought I could face anything. I eventually learned to embrace
my shortcomings instead of hiding them. I knew that suffering from a minor
set-back now will help me to excel in the future.
Two years ago I was involved in a serious cheerleading accident that filled
me with doubt regarding the rest of my athletic ability. Being the tumbler of
the squad I was warming up before our performance and busted, but it was
more than just a rusty fall. After being driven in an ambulance to the hospital
and eagerly waiting two hours for my x-rays to come back, I was notified that
I had broken my back, which left me in shock. My intentions were to be a
college cheerleader since the age of seven, but once again, another goal of
mine was crushed. After seeing a neurosurgeon, my recovery time was six
months in a back brace and no physical activity. At this point, I felt as if
failure was surrounding me. I slumped into a state of insomnia (page 102). I
did not know how to cope any longer because this is what I always feared;
failure, in the worst way. Nothing would be remotely the same, and my
persistence was fading. However, patience proved to be a virtue and my
dedication to recovery allowed me to become an entirely new athlete whom
was hardened by determination and wisdom. I soon realized I was not
starting over, but beginning where I had left off. I have become something
different than what I used to be, and am a better version from the adversity. I

am currently still trying to conquer this fear, but am embracing it as it is my

only option.
As much as people say you grow and learn from failure, one incidence in
my life, during my sophomore year of high school, remains to feel like
nothing but a failure. I was entering the college life or dual enrollment, too
soon. I believed I had the study habits and intelligence to pass college
courses, but was ultimately proven wrong. I am used to being a straight A
student and was caught off guard when my grade in general psychology
started to take a downwards spiral. Despite putting forth my best efforts, I
was not able to achieve a passing grade. This specific instance of failure has
yet to reveal its positive impact on my life, as it had almost prevented my
admission to Florida State University; which was always a life long goal of
mine.
Failure is the lack of success. For others, it might mean not getting where
they want to be. For me, it will be achieving my goals, starting new ones, and
making more of myself as a person. Failure is prevalent in everyones life and
is unavoidable. For example, Albert Einstein did not reach instant success. He
did not speak until the age of four, and did not read until age seven which
resulted in his parents to think he was mentally impaired. Eventually,
Einstein caught on, ended up winning the Nobel Prize, and impacted the
science of physics. His motto, If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree
it will live its life believing it is a failure. In modern times, NASA has

experienced devastating failure that effected not only them, but our country.
Failure has been apart of the past, the present, and is bound to be apart of
the future.
Each day I still fight to overcome the fear of failure. Using reinforcement
(page 277) will strengthen my response of how to deal with this struggle.
Denis Waitley once said Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker.
Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure
is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being
nothing. This quote has inspired me to take life as it comes, go with the
flow, and accomplish everything people think I cant. Failing is a part of
achieving, and due to my desire to succeed, I am prepared to deal with every
failure that approaches. On a side note, failure is not an option with this class
and I intend to be a shining success.