As I sat in my anatomy class on Tuesday, and Mrs. Sasser told us we would begin dissecting fetal pigs in class on Wednesday, I cringed.

I thought to myself, "There is no way I will ever be able to do that."

It is so easy to say "I can't" or "I won't." I wasn't really sure if I couldn't or just wouldn't do it.

As we walked into the laboratory on Wednesday to get our pigs, I felt a little sick. I had fully intended not to do the activity. Mrs. Sasser said it would be a test grade and if we didn't do it we would get a zero on it, and I certainly didn't need a zero in that class.

I reluctantly… very reluctantly, walked up to the counter and held out my dissection tray. She put the little pig on it and I walked to a desk. To make sure I had encouragement, Mrs. Sasser moved me to a desk where some students could help me along with the process of skinning and teasing out muscles.

As I made the first cut on the stomach of the pig, I just tried to tell myself that I wouldn't let myself make a zero. So I did it. I skinned the pig and picked out some of the muscles.

Even though it is a disgusting thing to do, in my opinion, I am actually glad I did it. I proved to myself that I can do something I really thought would make me ill, as long as I keep an attitude of "I am going to do this."

There were many students other than me that didn't think they would be able to do this, but every person in my class has accomplished it.

It was harder for some and easier for others, but it would have been so simple for any of us to just say "I can't" and quit.

I am glad I did the activity because it showed me that I can do more than I thought I could, even when I really don't want to.