In many Buddhist and Asian cultures, koi fish represent perseverance and overcoming adversity in one’s life. According to legend, koi fish scaled waterfalls with the promise of happiness and success at the top and when they finally reached it, they transformed into golden dragons. In times of stress and difficulty, I find it helpful to remember what I'm working towards and why these goals, which may appear unreachable at the moment, are important to me. Regardless of whether I reach these goals or not, it's important to remember that happiness and fulfillment are inevitable and will present themselves no matter where you end up. You might find fulfillment at a place where you least expected, and these achievements should always be celebrated as they represent the obstacles you've overcome to reach that point, wherever that may be. Hopefully by seeing and focussing on the good things that currently exist and are bound to come in the future, it becomes easier to keep going.