98 Percent

Coming from an Asian family, my parents pushed us to excel in academics.  Sadly, combined with low self esteem, this high pressured pushing was a lethal combination that needed years to understand and unwind.  An example seared into my memory was an exam where I studied, worked hard on, and scored a 98 percent.  My parents picked on the one "careless" mistake which could have brought home a 100.  I was devastated.  My accomplished was dismissed and everyone fixated on that one missed question.  Thankfully I did not spiral out of control.  It was just unfortunate that I let it eat away at me so much and I didn't have the communication skills to express my frustration.  I internalized it and even gave myself ulcers.  Grueling times, but what didn't kill me made me stronger.