When I was in a kindergarten, probably age 5 or 6, I was first introduced to the mathematical concept of multiplication. I was quite good at addition and subtraction by then, so it was a natural next step to learn multiplication. The teacher sat me down alone, and started explaining what multiplication is. Though confident at first, I was completely lost. I made every attempt to avoid learning multiplication. It was utterly uncomfortable that I could not make sense of what it was. It was not enjoyable. I felt a wall.

I’ve felt that wall many times during my teenage and college years. When learning English as a second language, or learning how to code in high school, or learning complex analysis (i.e. math) in college, I’ve felt the wall. It was uncomfortable. But over the years, I’ve noticed that when I overcome the uncomfortable feeling, the wall, I grow the most.

I think this doesn’t only apply to academic learning. Navigating the unknown, the uncharted waters, is frightening, like riding on a roller coaster for the first time. Doing anything for the first time is frightening. First date, moving to America, first college class, first networking event, first job interview, first project was all terrifying. Starting my first website, my first blog is terrifying too.

But I’ve grown the most when I faced the fear head on.

I’ve regretted the most when I ran away from the challenge.

I know I have far so much to learn, far so much to experience, and far so much to worry. Let this be my resolve to never shy away from such fear. Let this be the north star of my journey forward.