It was a dark day, one of depression, sadness and anger. As I climbed out of the pool, after seeing my time in the 100 yard freestyle, I did not feel like speaking to anyone. I saw the bright smiles of swimmers who had just achieved a best time. However, I had failed. Or at least that is what I thought at the time. I was lying on my cool bed when an idea hit my head -- success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your belief. At practice the next day, I told my swimming teammates about my goal time and they all either laughed or replied like "You can't do it" or "Probably not". Believe it or not, these are the responses that make my goal achievable. Finally came the day when I had to prove to myself and others that with belief there is no limit to your achievements! With the starting gun going off, I dived with perfect form into the pool. I felt the cool water running across my back. I swam like a fish, bouncing off each turn at the wall as if it had been a spring board. On the last turn, I came back to the wall with every piece of strength I had. I touched the final wall with my fingertips and I knew that I had swum the perfect race. I had finally done it! I had achieved my best time! Joy filled my heart like water does a cup. I saw the expressions on all of my friends' faces as I climbed out of the pool; their jaws dropped to the ground. I began to laugh and gave them the thumbs up. I have learned in life that having belief in yourself opens all gates. Never forget that anything the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.