IndexMy most memorable experienceEmbracing what makes me specialLessons learned from this experienceMy most memorable experience"Winners never quit, quitters never win." This resonates strongly with my personality. Of all the experiences I have had in my life, the most enriching was definitely the final stage of the state-level chess competition. It was a momentous moment that showcased what makes me special. If I had risen to the occasion in this last chess match, I would have placed first in Maharashtra. Knowing that my opponent was the defending champion Maharashtra, my mind was filled with pessimism. Furthermore, this was the same person who defeated me in the finals two years in a row. I knew I had worked hard for this opportunity to achieve glory, and letting nervousness take over my mind now would only obliterate my prospects of victory. It was at that moment that I took a deep breath and a series of thoughts crossed my mind leading to complete perplexity. At that very moment I had no confidence in my intellectualism and every other attribute seemed ineffective. I was nothing but a normal guy with a heart to win. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Despite my single-minded focus and utmost concentration on the game, I made a mistake. I saw two options in front of me: accept the situation and react from where I was or accept failure. My inherent grit didn't allow me to choose the latter, so I opted for the former. I remember what my mother always said to motivate me: "you're not a loser until you accept defeat." Following my mother's mantra, I channeled all my mental abilities into thinking deeply before every move I made. As the game progressed, I outsmarted my opponent with indecipherable tactics that led to my victory. I reveled in joy at this achievement, for which I had invested several hours in preparation. Embracing what makes me special In addition to the praise, delight and glory, I have learned so much about life from this beautiful game of chess. If at any point in my life I had accepted defeat, I would not be where I am today. The obstacles in my life are only temporary, the resilience to endure them and the effort to overcome them is what makes me special. The vitality of resilience was reiterated through this game. When I face challenges, I have to adapt to these unexpected situations and accept obstacles, to continue pursuing my goals. Similar to chess, I practice patience in every process which facilitates achieving my goal. I realized I always had the potential to win, it was the lack of self-confidence that hindered my progress. Inspired by the experience, a sense of aplomb took root within me, due to which I achieved excellent results in the national chess tournament, leading the state team to glory. I was convinced that emphasizing the outcome of an event, rather than focusing on the journey, is detrimental to success. The spirit with which my opponent accepted defeat inspired me a lot. From now on, whenever I face a defeat, I congratulate my opponent and analyze my mistakes to improve my game, instead of complaining about failure. I realized that I define my limits and that whatever my mind believes, I can achieve. So, it became important for me not to expect too much or under-expect from myself, but to plan,.”