Why The Phoenix Must Rise

The list came out today. For someone not preparing for the Civil Services Exam it is but a list of random of numbers, for someone wanting to face the interview board it is the sum of all the sweat and blood that has gone into the preparation. It is a sheet of paper that can make your spirit soar or pull you into an abyss. Each one of those numbers, even the ones that are not in the list, is mapped to a dream, a hope for one's future. For those who have not exhausted their attempts, it is a time to introspect and analyze what went wrong, to make an informed and pragmatic decision about the future course of action. For many others though this was their last attempt, they will have to retire from this race, it takes a lot out of you, years of hard work with no tangible results can be very demoralizing. The question is can you pick up the pieces and make something out of it, easier said than done some would quip. What is the alternative I ask? You wish that the earth would open up and swallow you but that is not going to happen, life will go on and tomorrow will belong to those who rise like the phoenix from the ashes. At this juncture if you do not back yourself nobody else will, there is no time for regret, the world with its countless opportunities awaits you. The fact is, you are the ones who fought and you fought hard, you came out worse in this battle but you gained a lot of experience, you are better prepared for the challenges that lie in store for you, you know what failure tastes like and this will make your success sweeter. This exam cannot define you, hell no exam can define you, do not stifle the fighter in you, unleash him and make life kneel in front of you. 

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