Why are we so afraid of failure? Why do we worry about the approval of others? Shouldn't our own opinions and thoughts be the only ones that matter? I am afraid to fail, but am I more afraid of failing myself or my parents? My parents have high expectations and set standards. I always try to live up to them, but if I do one small thing wrong, I'm afraid of their disappointment in me. I do not want to be thought of as a failure, I do not want to do wrong. Why are these expectations so difficult to live up to? Is it I who is not putting up enough effort or is it that these expectations are simply out of reach? To me, they are not out of reach. They aren't because others can accomplish them. This entire matter relates to comparing oneself to another. Should I not compare myself to others? But if I don't, where do I set the standards for myself? All of this seems so complicated. In the end, all I know is that I don't want to fail. But how can I do that when I don't understand what complete failure is? I am definitely not saying that I am perfect, but what do I think of as failing? What do my parents think failure is? Is it simply not reaching a goal? It may be hard for me to understand, but I know that I will try harder from now on. I don't know if I will succeed, but will continue to try. I will also want the approval of my parents, because what they think is important to me. As long as I try, I don't think that I will fail in my own eyes and I want that to be the only thing that matters.

Life is beautiful, but life is also horrid. Life is beautiful because everyday things occur that makes the world seem to shine. Babies are born, people accomplish great achievements. Life is also horrid because everyday, things happens that create depression. Around us all the time, there are people who cry, who are hurt, and people who die. Sadly, this is unavoidable, but life shouldn't be viewed as a bad thing. There is so much more to life than the concept of death. You get to live, create new things, meet new people, accomplish a goal. I want more people to view life as something amazing. Death is inevitable, but that does not mean someone should revolve their world around it. I encourage everyone to go out and accomplish something today, no matter what it is. Don't focus on the negativity that surrounds you and go out and do something amazing, that will make you happy and feel proud of yourself.