By MONIQUE MICHEL / L’Observateur / Febuary 3, 1999

I recently read something that said, “May you live all the days of your life.”After thinking about it, I thought most people don’t live their lives to the fullest. Whether they are worried or scared, something in them tells themthat they will never accomplish anything. Some people are too concernedthat they will fail and don’t even take into account the possibility of victory. Someone sent me this poem and it changed the way I thought abouttriumph. It states:

The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, Who strive valiantly; Who know the great enthusiasms, The great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; Who at best, Know the triumph of high achievement; And who, at the worst, If they fail, fail while daring greatly, So that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

After reading this, I came to the realization that I shouldn’t care if I fail, the mere fact that I had the audacity to try is enough. I don’t think failureshould be looked down upon. How many times have we thought less ofsomebody for failing at something we could never find the strength to attempt ourselves? If someone does fail we should encourage them. Maybethen people won’t be so afraid of trying.

What are you afraid of trying? Going out for the baseball team? Speaking in front of the class? Writing a book? Decide today to at least attempt to do that which you have been fearing for too long.

If you have any questions or comment, contact me at straightkids@juno.com or P.O. Box 1493, LaPlace, LA 70069.Back to Top

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