What I Learned From Failure Essay

621 Prompt: The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Will I look it in the eye until it sprints away, petrified by my piercing glare?
Or will I let it clobber me to the ground and infect my mind with insecurity? __________

A long stretch of dying, overgrown grass separated me from the rest of my class. My left leg felt heavy under the weight of my brace, a burden to pick up and put down. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I began my final lap. The majority of my class had already finished and was waiting near the baseball diamond for me to complete the mile. As I rounded the final bend, a surge of relief shot through my veins: it was almost over! My classmates rooted for me as I crossed the imaginary finish line, my time looming over 11 minutes. Despite their support, I envied the quickness of my fellow third graders. I yearned for the ability to run fast, normal even. ___________

I have Neurofibromatosis, or NF: a genetic condition–not a
Unwilling to concede. Although I cannot play contact sports, I row crew. I’m not an outstanding athlete, but I am dedicated and I work hard. We are required to complete an “honor run” before every practice. I complete each run to the best of my ability, running the entire time, even if it’s at a slow pace. Each run I finish is a success, and I now realize that determination and completion matter more than the time on the stopwatch. I refuse to allow this curve or the three titanium screws that live in my leg to become impediments. Some practices are physically brutal; any lengthy duration of strenuous exercise results in an aching knee and leg. Some workouts are unbearable; however, I refuse to be given special treatment. In fact, one year some of my coaches weren’t even aware of my