I watched from the sidelines as my teammates worked their way down the field, easily passing the soccer ball back and forth until they were in position to score. I longed to be out there with them, but my chances of seeing playing time were pretty slim; I was awful at shooting the ball into the goal, and I couldn’t even fathom the thought of hitting a flying ball with my head for fear that I might split in two.

Growing up I was always interested in what others were doing, especially my big sister. She was incredibly athletic, and I wanted more than anything to follow in her footsteps.

Over the years I tried almost every sport imaginable hoping each time that it would be ‘the one,’ but after a while it became clear that I wasn’t meant to play sports. What I didn’t know at the time, however, was that I was a flower continuing to undergo what seemed like a never-ending cycle of photosynthesis, not realizing the benefits I would reap later on.

Sometime during my freshman year in high school I began to understand the lesson in my failures; these experiences had taught me the true value of determination.

Determination is, by definition, a ‘firmness of purpose’ and ‘resoluteness,’ the willingness to never give up no matter how many obstacles one experiences. I chose to see my lack of success in the past as a driving force, compelling me to keep trying new things until I discover what it is I am truly passionate about.