Try.

I remember where I was a year ago. I'd imagine that you can, also. It really wasn't that long ago. I remember how I felt during that time. What emotions I would have on a daily basis, what problems I was facing, what the solutions to the problems were, what were the good things I had, and everything along those lines. But in specific, I remember what I wanted then. Not only what I wanted, but what my goals were. I remember all of that, distinctly. I'd be surprised if you don't. A year is not that long of a time, especially as you get older. So, just take a minute, before continuing to read this, and think about your life last year. Think about what happened, what you learned, your life then in comparison to now, and then, most importantly, what you wanted then in relativity to what you have/want now. After you're done remembering, then continue reading.

In English class, we're reading a book called "Mao's Last Dancer". If you haven't, or aren't, I encourage you to read it. Personally, I really liked it, but you might not be the person who enjoys autobiographies about a male ballet dancer that lives in communist China. Anyway, that was what it was basically about, but it was actually more centered around a little boy with a dream. Actually, it wasn't so much of a dream as it was a motivation. Believe me, they're two different things. Anyway, it starts out where he's poor and struggling to get by, as a child. He then has the motivation (not dream), to become a ballet dancer. The reason i say motivation, not dream, is because he didn't always dream of doing ballet, but what rather happened is he was spontaneously given the chance to become a ballet dancer, and took the opportunity to help his family. Only later did he actually want to do ballet. Anyway, in the story, one of his ballet teachers told him,

"To be the best, you have to first dare to try."

Think about what that means. It's probably something you've heard before, or heard something similar to it before, but just think about it. It probably won't have any actual emotional meaning to you until you experience it. Until then, it's just words on a screen. But think about it. Once you're done thinking, then keep reading.

A year ago, I had a dream (not motivation) for myself. Not so much of a dream either, but a goal. I had a goal that I would accomplish it. Of course, though, to accomplish it, I had to try. What I wanted was not something that was easily attempted. It took me many tries before I made any kind of slight progress. But then, gradually, I went from failing, to making some progress, to almost achieving it, to completely there. Within a year. Like I said before, a year is not a long time. And now that I've accomplished it, I'm a lot happier. I did it. It was work, and it was a long time coming, but it finally came, and that's what matters. But do you know why I finally accomplished my goal? Because I tried. Because I attempted to make progress towards it, and eventually I did. Do you know how the main character in Mao's Last Dancer made his dream come true? By trying. Many things stood in his way, but he did it. And now he's where he wants to be, as am I. I'm sure you've done something even remotely similar in your life. Think about it.

To be the best, you first have to first dare to try.

So go. Try something. Don't be afraid of failing, or losing. To be honest, you might. I'm not going to lie and say you'll achieve it. But you tried. And at this point, the chances of achieving it are 50%. If you don't ever try, they're at 0%. Just try something, even small. Be where you want to be, just by having the courage to attempt to do something.

You miss some of what you try for, and all in which you don't.