What is the thing you want most in this world? What is the thing, idea, object, or maybe even person, you are willing to sacrifice everything for? Happiness? Love? Success? Money? Friendship? Peace on Earth? Health? Family? 

Each person has a different ultimate desire for what he orshe really wants, and for some this concept is so broad that one answer doesn’t suffice. In our society, we want, want, and want even more, but how many of us actually focus on the one thing that we want most of all? 

If you were to ask me this question, I wouldn’t have ananswer for you, but one thing that I have done is internalized this quote. “There is a difference between what you want now, and what you want most.”  Think about it, this applies to almost everything because we experience trade-offs all the time. The “now” clouds the “most.” I mean, how many of us cheat on our diets because we want pizza more than we want to have a 6-pack? If it is something we truly want most, then shouldn’t we be so strong willed that we won’t be denied? We are incessantly tried on a daily basis of distinguishing what we want “now” from what we want “most”. The hardest part is figuring out which is more important to you. I mean, what is the “most” worth to you? Staying in one Saturday night to study to get an A? Money? Time? When I think of every successful person, he or she wanted to succeed more than anything else. They were willing to sacrifice beyond incomparable measures and faced obstacles that challenged them physically, mental, and emotionally (for most of us, we experience the blood, sweat, and tears through more common means, like laughing as you fall up the stairs). When we think about it, our parents put our happiness and well-being before their own, sacrificing money (a ton for college), time, and sleep for us, because they want us to be happy and taken care more than anything else in this world. We will never be able to thank them enough for all that they have sacrificed for us.                     

Regardless, the sweetest, most amazing things in life are those that we have to work for. We have to lay ourselves on the line for them- relationships, friendships, and love- which make them that much more special. Be resilient. Be tenacious for what you truly want. Don’t let others or “nows” come between what is going to change your life or those around you for just a simple pleasure. I say this a lot, but “keep it simple”. It amazes me that we can be so distraught by little things such likes on Instagram (example of a “now”) that ultimately means nothing in comparison to what you want most. When you figure out the difference between the two, life is simple, you chase and live the life you were meant to live. 

My challenge for anyone who reads this is to figure out what you legitimately want most, put it in your mind, hold it there, tattoo on your brain. Then, as you are faced with challenges, always remember to keep it simple and to live a life pursuing what you want most. By doing this, you will not be denied or pushed off track to live the life you want. When you have tough choices, know that by choosing the “most,” you are putting yourself, your goals, and your passions first, and when you reach or receive “most” wanted, all of the little wants you gave up will be insignificant.