During a long summer of preparation for her piano recital, Mia practiced every evening for at least two hours. Her friends often dropped by to listen while she played, and they frequently commented on how much she had improved since the beginning of the summer. Mia took their compliments to heart, feeling motivated to continue her practice. On the day of the recital, she was nervous but excited. Several months of hard work culminated in this performance. When she finished playing, the audience erupted into applause, and Mia felt a sense of pride wash over her.