Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. - Winston Churchill

It's that time of the semester. Stress.

And I mean STRESS. Not the kind of stress you get when you have too much on your plate or when you're about to take an exam. The stress that consumes every part of your life to the point where it keeps you up at night.

Stress from school, work, and life. You start worrying about your grades, and the "what-ifs" of your future... What if I fail this class? What if I get a C? What if I don't get that internship? What if I don't reach my goals?

You know what's going to happen? Nothing.

You read that correctly. Read it again. Nothing. Nothing is going to happen if you fail that class, or don't get that internship. You know why? Because you're going to keep moving on with your life, and you're going to bounce back.

Whatever happens, happens. Easier said than done? Well, the more you tell yourself that in a negative mindset, I can promise you your outcome will be negative, too. If you convince yourself it'll be okay (which it will), it will be okay. Positive mindset leads to positive results.

No failed class, missed opportunity, or goal not reached is going to stop you from who you're meant to become. Understand that where you are right now is not your final outcome.

I want you to think back 1,5,10 years ago. Where were you? What were you doing? What were your goals? Think hard enough, and I bet past you would have never thought you'd be as successful, brilliant, and as beautiful as you are now. Your future-self will look back at you now and think the same thing, I'm sure of it.

If you were looking for a sign, this is it. It's a reminder that no final grade defines your worth, no setback defines your success, and no failure defines who you are. You determine who you are, not your failures. Your failures surely have built you to be who you are today, but don't let the initial sting of them diminish your value.

You're going to get through whatever you're going through, I promise. You're stronger and more powerful than you may believe.