Life is a laboratory—you perform experiments. Living it is like playing the violin; you get a better idea of it as you practice. And you never know when you need to make a performance. If you fail to give your best on stage, you will feel like you do not want to try anymore. And if you succeed, you take a step forward. It’s human nature. But even if you perform badly and everything is in ruins, take a step forward. Do not fear, for life is about learning, and struggling. Life hits you hard many times, but it hits the hardest if you think you’re invincible.

Life, my friend, is an array of changes. Do not avoid them. Take them as hurdles that you need to overcome. You’ll definitely jump across some while others will trip you. Whatever the outcome, it leaves you a stronger person than you were yesterday. It’s okay to fall down at times. Be brave and follow your dreams.

But it’s not always easy though. When you’re right, no one remembers; but everyone remembers the mistakes you commit. Such is the way of the world. Life is tough. But always think that you are one in a million, the result of millions of years of evolution, and that you are here to make a difference. You can do anything you want to. Do something that you are passionate about. You may fail once? Twice? But not always.

And life, it’s like a cardiogram. Full of ups and downs. Monotony and boredom kills a person. So, embrace the irregularity.

Mark Twain once said: “The two important days in life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” Everybody has a purpose and it’s sad to see potential get wasted. So explore. Understand the world, understand yourself. Grow to live and live to keep growing.

Uprety is an A-levels student at Budhanilkantha School