In a world that is inhabited with billions and trillions of people in it, you’d think that it would be easy to be unique. But, society shows us otherwise.

The media displays numerous forms of similarity: for instance, on the app SnapChat, there are various filters that users can use to take photos. A majority of them, in my opinion, suggest that people must look better on a sepia-toned screen with a flower crown donned atop their heads. Therefore, if we don’t use this filter, or even look almost identical to it, why even share the photo? We aren’t going to get a photo back.

As for magazines, they always feature sections of celebrities in their swimsuits, some are toned, and some are not—as if they are pointing out that celebrities have to look, eat, and dress a certain way in order to fit the category of “celebrity.” Why do we have to point out the flaws of others, especially celebrities? Obviously, as human beings, we all have identities that makes us each different from the next person.

I remember watching Tyra Banks, the fashion model and host of America’s Next Top Model, speaking out against a magazine in front of a live studio audience. On a TV screen, she showed a photo of her in a swimsuit at the beach. In the photo, she has curves, just like any woman would. So, because the magazine was making fun of her, she told viewers that is truly how she looks in a swimsuit and she is not afraid to show herself off. She is confident with herself.

And not only are we discriminated by our size, but we are also singled out by our race, religion, personality, values, salaries, likes and dislikes, and even by how cool our Instagram captions should be. And you know what, this is what I’ve got to say:

It’s time for a celebration—a celebration for ourselves. Personally, I try to go to the gym every day that I can because I have a mental image of who I think I want myself to be. I beat myself up emotionally because in my mind, if I didn’t get a workout in for the day, I’m either not worthy to eat what I want or I am declining. Now, I am here to say that I am done thinking this way of myself. I am a girl, who is short (5 feet and three inches to be exact), who is somewhat muscular (do you want to see this gun show?), and loves herself.

I think that I deserve a cake for this occasion, and I think you do too. With each candle you blow out, think of a quality that you love about yourself: I am strong, *poof*. I am confident, *poof*. I am good at braiding hair, *poof*. I look killer in a tank top, *poof*. I can support my family physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially, *poof*. I am me, *poof*.

We only live on Earth for a short time. Soon, we will be dead and gone—that is the harsh reality of it all. We can easily return to hating ourselves and degrading others. Or, instead, we can be happy with ourselves. When we are dead, just remember that all skeletons look the same. Bones are bones. We all look the same in the ground.