Personal Narrative: I Believe In Failure

I believe in failure and its effects. Everyone is inevitably going to fail. In fact, it will happen over and over again, and I can testify to that. Failing is frustrating and has made it seem like I will never succeed, but it also motivates my inner drive. This battle has lead to amazingly rewarding outcomes that made me the person I am today. When I was 8 I had to conquer my most recurring failure. This happened while I was participating in gymnastics, where I had to push myself to the breaking point, mentally and physically every time I stepped in the gym. I remember the sticky air with the horrid salty stench circulating through my nose. My muscles throbbing as I stretched my limbs out atop the scratchy carpet-like mat. My mind is only focused on the most important skill I will ever have to learn: the kip, which involves jumping to the bar, swinging forward and tapping my toes to the bar, and then swinging backwards where I’m now upright with my hips resting on the bar. This was a defining skill because it is the only mount allowed for the level I was aspiring to be in. Amy, Josie, and Lexi had all accomplished this incredible feat, and I was getting frustrated and impatient with the process. I knew it …show more content…
It seemed as though the bar was mocking and betting against me, not wanting me to accomplish the one thing I wanted so badly. After many more rounds of this same process, I eventually decided to take a step back. My heart started pounding as a spark inside of me went ignited. I took a breath so deep I thought I’d drown in the oxygen. Then with my mind cleared I leaped and grasped the bar as chalk particles invaded my eyes. I glided my legs out and began the shift upwards, my body was completely surrendered to the outcome. Nothing was forced, and my training took over. When my hips reached the bar I didn’t fall back. I had done