Essay from Abdusalomova Marjona Jahongir qizi

Introduction: Why Does Everyone Need Success?

Success is not only about material achievements; it is about reaching the goals one sets, feeling inner satisfaction, and increasing self-worth. In psychology, the concept of success is closely related to realizing one’s potential. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the highest level is self-actualization. However, reaching this peak requires not only knowledge and opportunities but also patience, confidence, and the ability to overcome fear.

Today’s world is fast-paced and highly competitive. Every day, hundreds of people start new ventures, yet not all of them succeed. Why? Because many are afraid to take the first step or give up after a few failures. In reality, successful people are not necessarily more talented than others—they are simply those who are not afraid to start, who are patient, and who believe in themselves.

Key words: Optimism, stress, determination, visualization, theory, cognitive reappraisal, positive psychology, marshmallow experiment, self-efficacy, motivational strategies, “Now or Never” principle.

Chapter I: Psychological Foundations of Success

Psychologists have developed various theories to explain success. For example:

Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy shows that a person’s level of success depends more on their belief in their own abilities than on their actual skills. Confident individuals are not afraid of challenges and are willing to try new opportunities.

Angela Duckworth’s “Grit” theory states that the most important factor in success is not talent, but perseverance toward long-term goals.

Martin Seligman’s positive psychology theory highlights the role of optimism in success. Optimistic people view failure as temporary and try again.

These theories confirm that success is a product of mindset, confidence, and determination.

Thus, the first condition is learning how to manage our thoughts properly.

Chapter II: Overcoming Fear – The First Step Toward Success

Fear is a mechanism that has protected humans since ancient times. However, in today’s world, fear often distances us from opportunities. The thought “If I start, I might fail” holds many people back. Psychologists call this “failure anxiety.”

Research shows that 60–70% of people are afraid to start new projects because they see mistakes as defeat. In reality, mistakes are lessons, and failure is experience. Successful individuals like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and J.K. Rowling all faced multiple setbacks, but they kept going.

To overcome fear, psychologists recommend:

Cognitive reappraisal: Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Instead of “I will fail,” say “I will gain experience.”

Step-by-step action: Break big goals into smaller parts.

Visualization: Imagine achieving your goal. Neuropsychology shows that visualization sends positive signals to the brain and motivates action.

Chapter III: Patience – The Hidden Power of Success

In today’s fast-moving world, people expect quick results. However, success is a marathon, not a sprint. In psychology, patience is defined as the ability to wait for long-term rewards.

The famous “Marshmallow Experiment” (1972) showed that children who were able to delay gratification were more successful later in life.

Patience is not just waiting—it is consistent effort toward a goal. According to Angela Duckworth’s research, patience and perseverance lead to greater success than talent. Patient individuals are more adaptable, resilient to stress, and committed to long-term goals.

To develop patience:

Accept that change takes time.

Celebrate small daily achievements.

Learn self-control techniques (meditation, mindfulness).

Chapter IV: Confidence – The Key to Success

Confidence is not simply liking yourself; it is believing in your abilities.

According to Bandura’s theory, individuals with high self-confidence:

Are not afraid to start new tasks

View mistakes as experience

Show more initiativeEffective ways to build confidence:

Remember your achievements. This sends a “I can do it” signal to your brain.

Break goals into realistic plans. Each completed task increases confidence.

Surround yourself with positive people. A supportive environment boosts motivation.

Chapter V: Don’t Be Afraid to Start – Today Is the Best Time

Many people wait for the “perfect moment.” In reality, perfect conditions never come. That’s why the best time is today. Psychologists call this the “Now or Never” principle.

Three steps to start:

1. Define your goal – know why you are starting.

2. Make a plan – but don’t wait for it to be perfect.

3. Take action – even a small step matters. Action creates motivation.

Conclusion: Success Is a Process

Success does not come overnight. It is a continuous process that involves patience, confidence, and overcoming fear. If you take the first step today, you are already closer to your goal.

Abdusalomova Marjona Jahongir qizi was born on May 30, 2008, in the Jizzakh region. She initially studied at School No. 38 in the Forish district until the 9th grade. Currently, she is studying in a specialized class focused on biology and chemistry at School No. 31 in Jizzakh city.

Marjona is the holder of more than 35 international certificates and is a participant in the city stage of the Zulfiya State Award. She has been awarded badges such as “Behbudiy izdoshlari,” “Ta’limdagi muvaffaqiyatlari uchun,” and “Millatlar mozaikasi.”

She has actively participated in a number of international and national-level anthologies. In particular, she is a participant in the anthologies “Kelajak qalamlari,” “Tuyg‘ular daftari,” “So‘zlarimdan jahon eshitsin,” and “So‘z sayqali.” In addition, she is the author of the anthology “Men sharq qiziman.”

Marjona is a member of the Argentina Writers’ Union, and her articles have been published on the Google platform. She has worked as a coordinator in the Forish district for the “Oltin qanot volontyorlari” organization and is currently an official volunteer of the Girls’ Academy. She has also been actively participating in various international conferences and webinars. She served as the coordinator for scholarships and state awards during the April 15–19 program of the “NextGen Summit” project.

She has also achieved success in education: she holds a B+ level certificate in her native language and a C+ level certificate in history.

In addition, she is knowledgeable in logistics and is currently learning trading. She has studied the Turkish language and has read more than 100 works of fiction.

Marjona has also actively participated in courses focused on personal development, psychology, and entering the international arena.

One of the most important and unforgettable moments in her life was when she achieved her first success and was awarded the badge “Ta’limdagi muvaffaqiyatlari uchun,” celebrating this joyful moment with tears together with her parents and loved ones.The Secret of Success – Patience and Confidence: Don’t Be Afraid to Start

Essay from Olimova Muslimaxon Odiljon qizi

We successfully participated in the “Uzbekistan FIRST Championship 2026” international engineering and robotics festival and achieved outstanding results in the “FIRST Tech Challenge” category, earning a qualification ticket to the “FIRST China Championship” in China! 

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This prestigious competition brought together more than 90 teams and thousands of young engineers, programmers, and innovators from 7 different countries. During the intense two-day competition, our team demonstrated strong technical skills, creativity, innovation, and teamwork. This achievement is the result of continuous hard work, dedication, and determination toward our big goals. Now, we are proud to represent Uzbekistan on the international stage at the championship in China! 

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  Future engineers never stop! We will continue turning dreams into reality through technology and innovation! 

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#FIRSTChampionship2026 #FTC #Robotics #Engineering #STEM #Uzbekistan #ChinaChampionship #AndijanTeam #YouthInnovation #FutureEngineers

Essay from Eshmurzayeva Jasmina Shodiyor qizi

The Path of the New Generation of Uzbek Girls

Uzbekistan is creating broad opportunities for young people. In particular, Uzbek girls are showing an increasing desire to gain knowledge and a strong sense of responsibility for self-development. They are not only mastering modern sciences but are also preserving national values while earning a достойный place in society.

Knowledge and education have always held an important position in the national values of the Uzbek people. Since ancient times, special attention has been given to ensuring that girls are not only well-mannered but also well-educated. This tradition continues to maintain its significance today.

Nowadays, educational opportunities are expanding even further. Girls actively participate in schools and higher educational institutions, achieving remarkable success in various fields. Many girls are learning foreign languages and obtaining international certificates. In addition, they take part in international competitions and become recipients of prestigious scholarships and grants.

As evidence of this progress, one can mention Mushtariy Sharifova, the first Uzbek woman reportedly hired by Tesla. Through continuous learning, dedication, and self-confidence, she achieved significant success on the international stage. Her accomplishments clearly demonstrate the potential and determination of Uzbek girls. Mushtariy Sharifova advises young people: “Never give up on your dreams and always continue working on yourself.”

Despite their young age, today’s Uzbek girls stand out because of their active participation, thirst for knowledge, and ambitious goals. They achieve success in various fields and serve as sources of inspiration and motivation for other young people. At the same time, a unique harmony between tradition and modernity can be observed. While acquiring modern knowledge and skills, girls remain loyal to their cultural values and heritage. In conclusion, today’s Uzbek girls are developing comprehensively by combining education with national values. They are becoming knowledgeable, determined, culturally aware, and spiritually mature individuals. By making effective use of modern opportunities, they contribute significantly to the progress of society. Without a doubt, such active and educated young women are an important force in ensuring the bright future of Uzbekistan.

Eshmurzayeva Jasmina Shodiyor qizi was born on November 4, 2009, in the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan. She is currently a 10th-grade student at School No. 185 Tashkent. She also holds a CEFR English language certificate.

Poetry from Soumen Roy

A letter to the life – Tagore 

You were there every time 

When the court inside was dark 

You ignited it with the feathers of delight 

That awakened my weary soul. 

I am not alone,and why should i refuse the light? 

That creates every minuscule thought

And transmutes through every single artery and vein  

Where everything assembles in nothingness

And nothingness turns into a whole.

Where there I sip the divine nectar,

Yes, an undeniable character in life’s theatre,

And the mundane life lives in once again,

Gleaming gorgeous over the distant horizon.

Story from Madina Asliddinova

SPRING MEMORIES

A baby girl was born into a family. They named her Sabriya because her parents had waited many years for her birth. Eight years before Sabriya was born, her elder sister named Maftuna had passed away when she was only three months old. She had been born prematurely and could not survive.

Two years later, Sabriya’s brother Umarbek was born, but he lived only for two days. Unable to bear the pain of losing her children, their mother became seriously ill. Years passed, and finally Sabriya was born. Her parents were overjoyed at her arrival. They organized a feast for relatives and neighbors and cared for Sabriya with great love.

When Sabriya turned two years old, her younger brother Hayotbek was born. They cherished him dearly as well. Three years later, Sabriya’s little sister Barchinoy was born. By then, Sabriya was already five years old. Their family was very close and loving. The three children always cared for and helped one another.

One day, when Sabriya was in the 7th grade and Barchinoy was in the 2nd grade, Sabriya was cooking. Barchinoy said:

— “Sister, let me help too.”

Sabriya agreed and explained what needed to be done, while she went to clean the hallway. There was boiling water on the stove. Barchinoy tried to lift the kettle, but it slipped from her hands and spilled onto her foot.

“Si-i-ster!” Barchinoy screamed loudly.

Sabriya ran over and saw that her sister’s foot had been badly burned. She quickly cut a potato in half and placed it on the burn. In those days, people often used potatoes instead of medicine for burns. Their mother saw what had happened and became frightened. Barchinoy’s foot was badly injured, and her mother scolded her. After that incident, Barchinoy stayed away from the kitchen for years.

Days passed. One day, their mother gave Barchinoy and Hayotbek a plate of samsa and asked them to take it to their grandmother’s house. Barchinoy carried the plate in her hands. While walking, she tripped over a stone, and both the plate and the samsas fell to the ground.

Hayotbek quickly helped his sister stand up. Barchinoy cried because she had hurt her foot and the plate had shattered into pieces. Fortunately, the samsas had been wrapped in a bag. Hayotbek gathered them and placed them back into the bag.

As they continued walking, the siblings talked:

— “Brother, what will we do now?”
— “We’ll still give them to Grandma. What else can we do?”
— “What will we tell Mom?”
— “We’ll tell her the truth.”

After delivering the samsas to their grandmother, they returned home. Their mother asked:

— “Did you take the samsas to Grandma?”
— “Yes, we did,” Hayotbek replied.

Their mother noticed Barchinoy’s bandaged hand and became worried. Barchinoy explained everything, and both siblings lowered their heads and apologized. Their mother smiled and said:

— “It’s alright, my children. The most important thing is that you are safe.”

That evening, their mother Maryam cooked pilaf, and the whole family happily ate together around one table.

Years passed, and Sabriya grew into a beautiful young woman. Suitors frequently came to ask for her hand in marriage. One day, the son of Samad aka’s close friend came as a suitor. Samad aka spoke with Sabriya:

— “My daughter, you’ve grown up. As you can see, many suitors are coming to our home. My friend’s son has asked for you. What do you think?”

Sabriya blushed shyly and replied:

— “Whatever you decide, father.”

— “Then meet Jamshid tomorrow at the park.”

— “Alright, father,” she said and went to her room.

The next morning, Maryam aya was baking bread in the tandir oven, while Sabriya prepared for the meeting. She looked more beautiful than a princess from a fairy tale. Before leaving, she said:

— “Mother, I’m going now.”

— “Go safely, my daughter,” Maryam aya replied.

Sabriya and Jamshid talked for a long time and realized they were perfect for each other. Both families approved of the marriage. The wedding was planned for two months later, and both families began their joyful preparations.

Soon, the wedding day arrived. Everyone was happy. Accompanied by the sounds of traditional trumpets and drums, Sabriya left her parents’ home and entered Jamshid’s household as a bride.

Sabriya and Jamshid lived a very happy life together. A year later, Maryam aya and Samad aka became grandparents. Sabriya and Jamshid became parents—not to one child, but to twin boys. They named them Hasanjon and Husanjon. The family was extremely happy.

But sadly, their happiness did not last forever.

Years passed, and Hasanjon and Husanjon turned four years old. Relatives gathered to celebrate their birthday. Hayotbek gave each twin a bicycle as a present. Since the twins were born in spring, a gentle breeze was blowing outside. They took their bicycles and went out with Hayotbek.

Hayotbek met a friend and became distracted while talking. Meanwhile, the twins rode their bicycles toward the main road. A large truck was speeding down the road. Hayotbek turned around and saw the horrifying scene—the twins were on the road, and the truck was rushing toward them at great speed.

There was almost no distance left between the truck and the twins. Hayotbek screamed with all his strength:

— “No-o-o!”

The next morning, after the dawn prayer, four deceased family members were buried. After the tragedy, Sabriya often fainted from grief. The women around her would splash water on her face to bring her back to consciousness. Barchinoy cried endlessly. Samad aka became seriously ill and was hospitalized for a month.

Whenever Jamshid and Sabriya saw children playing in the street, they remembered their sons and sighed deeply in sorrow.

Two years later, suitors began visiting Barchinoy as well. She married a young man named Rustam. That same year, Jamshid and Sabriya had another child. They raised the child with endless love and care.

A year later, Barchinoy and Rustam also had a daughter and named her Sevinch. However, two years after Sevinch was born, Samad aka passed away. By the will of Allah, he too left this world during the spring season.

That is why, whenever spring arrives, Sabriya and Barchinoy feel a deep sadness, remembering all the memories and sorrows they experienced in the past.

Madina Asliddinovna is an 8th-grade student at School No. 16 “Jasorat” in the Qashqadaryo region. From an early age, she has shown great interest in creativity, reading books, and journalism, and is recognized as one of the active and inquisitive students.

She began her creative journey at a young age by launching her personal blog on Telegram, where she shared her thoughts and opinions on various topics.

Madina successfully completed the “Efirdamiz” course, further improving her knowledge and skills. She was invited several times to the “Fayzli Kun” program of Qashqadaryo Television Channel, where her creative works were presented on television. Her performances were also broadcast on Madaniyat va Ma’rifat TV Channel.

Her creative works have been published in local and international websites and magazines. In particular, her works were featured on the international literary platform ATUNIS Poetry. Additionally, her writings appeared in international anthologies published in the United States, including Voices Without Borders and Ziyo Izidan.

Madina is the holder of several international certificates and has actively participated in various competitions, where she received cash prizes, books, and commemorative gifts.

She has been recognized as a favorite student by journalist Nigora Tog‘ayeva and continues her creative activities in collaboration with international organizations.Despite her young age, Madina Asliddinovna is a promising and talented young creator who is striving to establish her place in the fields of creativity, journalism, and media.   

Poetry from Sabina Tursunqulova

CHILDHOOD — I MISS YOU

The mill of fate keeps crushing life away,
Years fell like snow upon my darkened hair.
Unable to find a fragment of true peace,
Lonely hearts weep, longing for you everywhere.

Where are those innocent dreams of the sky?
Those paper boats in muddy streams we sailed?
Today my eyes are filled with bleeding feelings,
Falsehoods consume me, tearing me apart without fail.

Though I lament like Erkin Vohidov,
My soul still lacks the spirit of “O‘zbegim.”
Tulips have withered in old memories,
In this vast world, my strength grows dim.

Abdulla Oripov’s sorrow flows like my river,
The whirlpool of thought devours my soul.
When my forehead bows down in prayer,
To whom can I confess this heavy silence untold?

Like Muhammad Yusuf, my heart cries aloud,
Mother, I miss the scent of wild mint again.
Have I become lost in the city streets,
These deceitful worlds feel foreign and strange.

There were days I built cities from mud,
A king in innocence, free from greed and pride.
Those green gardens stayed far behind,
Now I am imprisoned within myself inside.

Where is my father’s dignified presence now?
The smell of my mother’s warm bread is gone.
The marketplace of life has burned me deeply,
There is no heart left in me — only coldness lives on.

So growing up itself is truly a burden,
Worries bend my once-proud head low.
Unanswered questions, one painful mystery:
To whom am I leaving these flowing tears to show?

Today I am tired of these deceitful worlds,
Fake smiles have wounded my chest inside.
Old memories are tangled knots within my heart,
My soul still feels the days of childish joy and pride.

Farewell, my innocence, farewell, my paradise,
I shall forever wash you with tears from my eyes.
I do not need this false glory anymore,
At your feet, I slowly fade and die…

Sabina Tursunqulova was born on October 15, 2006, in Kitob district of Kashkadarya region. She studied at Secondary School No. 3 in Kitob district. From an early age, she showed a deep interest in art, poetry, and culture, developing a special passion for creativity. Her love for books and literature gradually blended with her enthusiasm for learning languages.

Currently, she is a third-year student at the Faculty of Russian Philology of the Uzbekistan State World Languages University. During her student years, she has continued her creative activities and constantly worked on self-development. Her aspirations, research, and devotion to creativity demonstrate her determination to become one of the leading specialists in her field in the future.

Essay from Jacques Fleury

Photo Art C/O Jacques Fleury


Trash Tossing: Put Litter in Its Place

In Honor of World Environment Day

By Jacques Fleury

[From Fleury’s book: Chain Letter To America: The One Thing You Can Do To End Racism: 

A Collection of Essays, Fiction and Poetry Celebrating Multiculturalism]

Ah, this place called Earth…. Stop for a minute. Look around you. Try to see your earthly surroundings as if through the eyes of a fascinated child. Bask in the majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains or stimulate and overwhelm your senses with the geologic colors and magnitude of the Grand Canyon; the lush splendor of a giant redwood; a 150 feet tall tulip, an ash, a sycamore or a weeping willow. Stop for a minute on your way to work and behold the morning sun rising over the lofty landscape; its light feeding the plants through photosynthesis and at dusk be still and behold the full moon. Stop for a minute and think before you throw that empty plastic bottle in the river, on the city streets and sidewalks or in the public park; thus disparaging our environment.


     There are a number of things in this world that aggravates me, but none as pesky and infuriating as careless, indifferent and insolent litterers. Yes, you know who you are; the ones leaving your Dunkin Donuts cups behind on mail boxes, subways and park benches or tossing their plastic beverage bottles audaciously on city streets in spite of the presence of onlookers. Perhaps it’s because we live in a world where people are becoming increasingly rude and inconsiderate.


     During my formative years growing up partly in Haiti, I received a social and familial education unlike the education I received in my catholic school in Port-au-Prince. My family and even my extended community of family friends and neighbors contributed to my upbringing. Proper manners were an integral part of my life on the island. My mother—Marie Evelyne—was an advent figure in my learning of proper manners and etiquette and one such behavioral
teachings were to always “pick up after yourself” and to leave a place as clean as you found it.

In Haiti, even the very poor adhere to a strict code of what is considered to be socially acceptable behavior. Hence once in America, I continued this tradition of being conscious in how I conduct myself in a public setting and one such conduct is not tossing my rubbish on public property.


Now some may scowl reading this upon perceiving it as some type of a harangue about how they should conduct themselves but it’s not meant to be. I hope to express the frustrations most likely felt by fellow pedestrians who too are probably fed up with straddling litter on the city streets.


     “America, we’ve got a problem,” declares some state legislatures in an internet article titled “Toxic torpedoes.” Apparently there has been an influx of truckers tossing bottles full of their urine out the window, littering our countryside. This further exemplifies the problem with people—who for esoteric reasons disregard the environment in which they live through blatant effrontery in disposing of their debris on public property.


     “Littering is a mindset problem…We need to make it socially unacceptable to throw rubbish on the streets, “asserts an anonymous person in a letter to the editor in Design Week titled “It’ll take more than graphics to beat the litter problem.” He goes on to say, “Offenders must appreciate the link between dropping litter and the cost of cleaning it up and realize that litter is never thrown ‘away’—it’s just moved elsewhere.” This problem permeates apparently in other parts of the world, a number of people are ostensibly and collectively non-socially conscious when it comes to how they treat the environment. In Berlin, talking trash cans will soon thank
people for not littering.

     Another article in “The Science Teacher” promulgates that, “A 100-fold upsurge in human produced plastic garbage in the ocean is altering habitats in the marine environment.” This is based on a new study titled “Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition” (SEAPLEX), conducted by a graduate researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.


Apparently, in an area known as the “Great Garbage Patch”, the journal “Biology Letters” evinces that plastic shards in the surrounding area have risen 100 times over the last 40 years
causing detrimental shifts in the natural habitats of marine animals in particular.

Let’s face it. The world is an ever-evolving place. Now with the continuous dawning of the technological age, more and more “stuff” will continue to surface for us to dispose of. Now, I am cognizant of the possibility that not all of us were taught proper social behavior or etiquette, or if you were, you have forsaken your social manners and public etiquette over the years, but the cliché “It’s never too late to learn” or in some cases “re-learn” social formalities rings true in this
instance.

So Stop for a minute, look around and find a trash receptacle and keep the earth green and clean.

Young adult Black man with short shaved hair, a big smile, and a suit and purple tie.
Jacques Fleury

Jacques Fleury is a Boston Globe featured Haitian American Poet, Educator, Author of four books and literary arts student at Harvard University online. His latest publication “You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self” & other titles are available at all Boston Public Libraries, the University of Massachusetts Healey Library, University of Wyoming, Askews and Holts Library Services in the United Kingdom, The Harvard Book Store, The Grolier Poetry Bookshop, Amazon etc… He has been published in prestigious publications such as Spirit of Change Magazine, Wilderness House Literary Review, Muddy River Poetry Review, Litterateur Redefining World anthologies out of India, Poets Reading the News, the Cornell University Press anthology Class Lives: Stories from Our Economic Divide, Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene among others…Visit him at:  http://www.authorsden.com/jacquesfleury.–

Silhouetted figure leaping off into the unknown with hand and leg raised. Bushes and tree in the foreground, mountains ahead. Book is green and yellow with black text and title.
Jacques Fleury’s book You Are Enough: The Journey Towards Understanding Your Authentic Self