Failure. And Getting Back Up.

You might remember that a couple of weeks ago I

wrote about how I entered into a contest to win 10k for

The Shine Project Scholarship Fund.

I really thought that we had a chance to win,

and I held on to the hope that more students would get scholarship money,

and that we'd be able to reach our 20k goal by the end of this year.

This money is what we needed to make that goal,

and I prayed so hard that it would happen.

Yesterday morning was the announcement of the winning charities.

I woke up early, and ran to the computer with my heart

racing to see if I won.

I read the first name,

the second,

the third,

the fourth,

and then the last.

None of them were mine.

I sat there for a moment, processing the experience in my mind.

And then I whispered,

all to myself,

"I'll keep on fighting."

And that's what life is about.

Trying,

and falling,

and getting back up and trying again.

It's about not taking no for an answer,

and fighting to make a difference,

even when it seems impossible to everybody else.

To me, that's the only life worth living.

on another note...

I really need your guys's help with my new project!

I've asked for your shine pics in your shirts and necklaces,

so please keep sending them in!

I also would love pictures of you doing service this year,

or accomplishing a goal.

You can also send in a picture just of yourself....

When you send in your pictures, can you PLEASE answer

this questions in 5 words or less....

"With inspiration from The Shine Project this year I..."

I promise it will be worth your time...this is gonna be awesome ;)