This is a personal creative nonfiction piece about a personal struggle in my daily life. I am sharing it at this time as a minor anecdote to show the importance of perseverance... especially at a time like this. It is a small message to push through limitations, whatever they may be, and with that, we can come out stronger on the other side.

My breathing shortened, I tried counting to ten. The weight of my foot pulled down by the force of gravity as I lifted it to the next steep rock. The air was becoming thinner, the rocks becoming steeper. My friend screamed for me to stop as my whole body trembled. I forced myself to keep going. All I saw was black as my vision began to vanish. I tried to take my inhaler out of my bag, but the line read zero. I felt everything go numb, everything stop–the noisy clamor, the blood rushing through my veins, my breath.

Having asthma hinders me from the one thing I cherish most: Nature. In this moment, however, I was climbing a massive mountain, as I have a passion for nature and hiking. This mountain was unique than any other; this one was more challenging. So, being a risk-taker and a lover for a good challenge, I set out to climb it. As I climbed, my breathing became erratic and my vision failing me, I couldn't see anything from the effect of the blood rushing to my head. I had to learn to use all my other senses; they became clearer than ever. I smelled clean air and petals blooming on tree branches; I smelled fresh dirt. I heard the humming of the birds as they searched for one another, and heard the rushing of the waterfall positioned right next to me. I felt free and completely at ease, even though my breathing was completely in panic as well my vision completely gone. I felt one with nature.

I used my senses and the last bit of power within me to climb up the next step and everything came rushing back. Nothing was going to stop me; my life was flashing before me, but I was going to make it. My heart pumped recklessly in my chest but I kept exhaling and inhaling through quick, short breaths. I blocked out limitations and used my mind, my perseverance, and the last bit of strength I had to keep myself going. I grabbed onto the branches and rocks, as I felt my way around me, to get myself more upwards on the mountain. I listened to the beating of my heart and the tiny voice inside my head to push myself through my own self-struggle. Suddenly, I felt the top of a rock and my friend ran to me saying I had made it to the top. I lied down, eyes closed, knowing I would be okay. I took a big breath in, and then I was able to see again; I was okay.

This experience taught me that no matter what struggle I come across due to my asthma, I won't let anything stop me. I have the power to keep myself going, and doing anything I want to do if I believe I can. I can be invincible within the essence of my limitation.