12:00am Sweaty, dirty, and beyond exhausted, my breath exhaled so hard onto a pile of dirt that it became visibly moist. The cement was arriving the following morning. I needed to finalize removing the existing garage floor and preparing it for cement. If I did not complete the task by the morning, I wouldn't finish the job I put a month's worth of effort into, nor would I receive any payment for that month. I would lose part of my family's income. What kept me going was the experience from 12-hour workdays six days a week, all in preparation for this 17-hour workday. This experience is typical of a hired laborer, not a co-founder of a business, yet is essential to advance this freelance business. I must "push through." 1:00 a.m. My phone chimed. Brightly lit, the clock reminded me of my usual bedtime. The thought of hunger and sleep latched onto my mind. I needed to continue to complete the job by the following morning. I reminded myself of my family's history of resilience: having grandparents who immigrated to America with nothing, worked two jobs, and a grandfather who served as a drill sergeant in the Gurkhas (soldiers), receiving an Order of the Star of Nepal. I had high expectations to meet. My grandparents provided me with a privilege they didn't have; I felt obliged to work equally, if not twice as hard, and if not that then three times as hard. Inspired by their determination and sacrifice, I utilized the opportunities bestowed upon me through their efforts. Even then, my ambitions required me to outwork those with advantages above me. I must "push through." I checked the dirt for level and plumpness, distancing the wood and silently chipping the concrete not to wake any neighbors. The ground was ready for cement to be poured. A feeling of relief rushed over me now that work was over. Finishing my day at 2:00 a.m., I experienced charmolypi. This emotion, named by the Greeks, is a rewarding feeling that emerges from a depressing experience. I use this unique emotion to help realize self-development, describe a challenging experience, extracting a lesson to grow mentally and physically. I "pushed through." 2:30 a.m. Dinner. Ordinary chicken and rice seemed more rewarding than ever. Working long days helped me realize the beauty of the human body shown best through its ability to accomplish and overcome with control over the mind. I finally understood how anyone could expect to achieve greater than previously anticipated with complete control of their mind. This mental determination, which supports my work ethic, has been integral in achieving my academic goals and will continue to do so in all aspects of my life, including my medical career. Having now done clinical rotations and shadowing doctors, I can appreciate the medical field so much more. The discipline of the founders astounds me, continuing to persist even in the face of uncertainty, especially having experienced such uncertainty. My actions, like recently poured cement, are ready to dry thoroughly and cement the idea of my work ethic and success in the future. I will continue strengthening the cement that is my success, crafted diligently through generations of thorough showers of stability and determination in the face of discomfort, developing a well-built work ethic that I will continue to test. I continue to "push through."