There is a quote I seem to always refer back to when I'm not having the most confident of days. Koshin Ogui wrote, "A flower does not think about competing with the other flower next to it. It just blooms." If you meditate on this quote, for even a small amount of time, it is easy to see the true beauty in these words.

Our generation is so fixed on competition. Who got more likes? Who has more followers? What grade did you get on your exam? Enough. If you continue to constantly compare yourself to others around you, the happiness you seek will not be found. It is so vital that we understand that everyone around us is different and that, alone, should be beautiful enough for us to practice that being the "best" at something doesn't always pay off the most.

I always joke around with my friends that I have no talent. Although I am only joking, I don't believe this to be totally true. True, I am not the best at singing, the smartest in the sciences, or the most athletic person you'll ever meet, but naturally being mediocre at most of my skill-sets in life have pushed me quite hard to increase my strength and knowledge in all areas of my life. I will never be one of those students who "didn't have to study for the exam" and still received an 'A'. Since I don't have a great test-taking skill-set naturally, I have disciplined myself to work my ass off fighting for the grades I knew I could accomplish. This has built up my work ethic immensely.

My whole life I have struggled with finding my balance. I do not have natural strengths in a lot of areas, where some people are much better than me, yet I will never worry truly failing in life, because I am learning to stop comparing myself to others. Accepting my own faults as they come, I have decided to receive these moments in my life as a challenge to increase my quality of life in every way possible. I am confident in my own capabilities, enough to be sure that in any tough situation, I will pull through and make the most out of an experience. This constant uphill battle of fighting to better myself, for solely my own happiness, has instilled personality and character that is irreplaceable.

Being the "best" dancer or the "best" writer doesn't make you the "best" person. Don't get me wrong--Some people are the best at what they do, because they have worked their way there, increasing their own personal skill-sets to achieve their goals. This is very important. Your quality of life at some rate depends on what you're willing to put towards it. Being the best at something doesn't always pay off, but pushing yourself to be your very best always will.