These past couple of days, I attended the HOSA: Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference held at Nashville, Tennessee. Qualifying for the Medical Terminology international competition at the Penn HOSA state competition by placing second definitely boosted my confidence and increased my enthusiasm to prepare for the international competition. After a couple of weeks of preparation, I felt ready to conquer the international exam. Little did I know that to be at par with the other state winners, I needed to put in double the effort. My performance at the international competition was reflective of my mediocre preparation. However, it helped me realize the level at which the other state champions stood and the extent to which I would’ve had to prepare to place at the international competition. Nonetheless, my experience at HOSA ILC 2016 was unforgettable, and this minor setback is one that is overcome with the countless people I had a chance to interact with, the timeless memories and the inside jokes that mark relationships I will value for a lifetime.

Experiencing and acknowledging failure as an inevitable, defining aspect of life is one that takes time and maturity to develop. However, the initial reaction to failure always remains the same. The inherent expression of shock, disappointment, sadness and denial never ceases to exist. Nevertheless, it is the extent to which and the amount of time it takes to relieve yourself from the failure.

Dealing with failure as a “type A” perfectionist is one of the most difficult things to handle. Not only that, but being an individual who emanates confidence and ambition and seeing your goal crumble within your hands, whether it be personal or professional goals, definitely triggers doubt, insecurity and takes a toll on your mental strength. However, this is simply a test of your will power because only those with true persistence remain to be relentless. It is those whose goals reside in their heart who act like a spring in life who achieve eternal success, never remaining compressed.

I may seem to give very positive advice, but taking my own advice is a struggle. It’s easier said than done. When I failed to place at the international competition, the mental weakness prolonged. However, I was surprised to find that I was not truly upset. Rather, this failure enhanced my motivation and perseverance tenfold, to improve my performance the following year. Not only that, but I found myself smiling at the holistic time I spent at the conference. The laughs, adventures, excruciating humidity, inside jokes, unforgettable people and even more unforgettable memories all acted as a silver lining. Rather, my experience was a silver cloud with a gray lining. One of the friends I had met during the conference won first place in the Medical Terminology event. When she won, I completely forgot my failure. I was ecstatic and elated because no one was more deserving than she. I wouldn’t accept any award in exchange for the lifetime relationships I made at the HOSA ILC.

We are human, and failure is what molds the individuals we become. Failure is motivation. Failure is a blessing in disguise. Failure builds humility. Failure is certain. The sooner we accept it, the quicker we will succeed and the happier we will become. My failure is someone else’s success, and I would much rather celebrate someone’s success instead of succumb to my own failure. Here is to life-long friends, memoirs and endeavors. HOSA: Future Health Professionals International Conference 2017 at Orlando, Florida, here I come.