It will not be long before the college entrance exams arrive. I have got bad grades in almost every test since I started the last year. The best rank I have ever reached is a 45^th, which really makes my heart ache. The recent exam hurt me again.

 

For the sake of my big dream, I devoted every possible second to work. Nevertheless, the results always fell short of my expectations. My chem teacher joked, “Failure is the mother of failure.” His words more than dampened my spirits. When I shared his saying with my father, Father said that it was wrong.

 

Dad explained, “There was a time when the Japanese invaders insulted us Chinese and put us under their feet. However, as you can see, China has become a big and powerful nation worldwide. It goes without saying that sooner or later, you are bound to realise your dream through the efforts you have put in.” I was inspired by my father’s wisdom. His simple words lifted my spirits.

 

As far as I am concerned, this recent exam made a real difference. It revealed a lot of my weaknesses. Thanks to the exam, I know where I am weak and which direction I should be going to improve myself.

 

Let go of the past. Live in the moment. Finish each day and be done with it. A man is happy of what makes his day; not of his goals.

 

If the dream is big enough, one failure does not count.