Millions of thoughts race through my mind everyday. After all this time, I should have endless things to say about it, but I struggle to fill a few pages describing what runs through it. The concept of exposing my personal thoughts terrifies me. Why should I let a perfect stranger know how I look at the world? I don’t want to convert anyone to my beliefs; I respect whatever ideals they choose to live by. However, I need to conquer my fears of opening up to others, so I will share a few of my inner thoughts.
             I try to believe that hard work and persistence pay off. The painful truth is that talent can take some people just as far. No matter what I accomplish in life, I know there is always someone else who achieved the same thing with less work and effort. In gymnastics, I saw my peers catch onto new skills in a flash while I worked for hours at the same thing. I envied their abilities, but I despised their efforts. I hate getting something for nothing. I feel empty when I don’t feel like I deserve what I have.
             I strive for perfection, but I know it’s only a myth. When I was nine I decided that perfection is not reality. My summer league swim coach explained to me that there is one perfect person in the world, and I am not Him. Since I do not really believe in God, I stopped believing in perfection. I still aim for it, and I consider myself a perfectionist. However, I know there will always be minor flaws no matter how hard I try to avoid them. This paper proves that. I have spent hours trying to describe my intellect in a coherent, grammatically correct manner, but I know I have faltered in many areas.
             I question everything. This can be helpful, but it is also stressful. Whenever I am faced with a major decision, I can easily establish at least two sides to the conflict. Once I have done this, it is hard to know what’s next. I try to reach a reasonable compromise, but usually I end ...