Each of us is uniquely different. We are born into different homes, environments, cultures and situations. We all look different. We have different strengths and weaknesses. We have different talents and gifts. As a human race we have perspectives and viewpoints from across the board. Some of us have been through many tough things, while some of us have yet to experience heartache. Currently, we have a lot of debate on race and gender identity. The media shines a persuasive light on the current situations, forming a "good guy" and a "bad guy" feel that creates arguments and controversy. The reality of it is that we are all different. We each have different flaws that form who we are. It's absolutely and divinely beautiful to be different from one another. It adds flavor to the pot of life. However, due to our diverse nature, some of us cook our soup a different way.

With our differences comes opportunity. Some of us have a great gene package that locks them in for a phenomenal magazine opportunity. On the flip side, some of us come from a culture that is seen through a negative lens, and that magazine opportunity seems impossible to receive. The reality of it is that two individuals are fighting for the same opportunity, but only one will get it. Whether we like it or not, we judge people based on their appearance. If you look professional, you are assumed to be the least likely to commit a crime. While someone who looks grungy might get easily accused of a crime.

Growing up, you know what flaws are holding you back. For many people, it is the color of their skin that holds them back. From personal experience, I have had to fight hard to build my reputation, despite my Hispanic heritage. I knew what my set back was, and I had to learn how to embrace that. I had to use it to my advantage. We are all fighting a fight. A friend of mine is deaf, and she desires to be a teacher one day. She has trained herself to speak, and she works extremely hard to prepare herself for her future. I have heard countless stories of how people have overcome the things that society does not automatically agree with. I go to school with many students who were told they would fail out of college because no one in their family was able to complete college successfully before.

I want to share with you a quote that I have read recently that deals with adversity. I saw on a post from the USS WASP LHD 1 Facebook page on July 29, 2016, highlighting an image of Ensign Al Harris aboard the amphibious assault ship. Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Molina interviewed Harris, and he quoted,

“The pressure of adversity is the most powerful sustainer of accountability. It’s as though everything you do is multiplied by 50 in order to surpass those with a head-start. I was never capable of slacking when at the threshold of failure.” – Criss Jami, Killosophy

I loved this quote because we are all "at the threshold of failure" at some point in our lives, some more than others. However, that should never hold us back. We have to fight the good fight. We are all different, and we are each trying to succeed in life. Take your skin color, your lack of education, birth defects or whatever it may be, and use it to show the world what you are made of. Encourage those around you to go against the norm. Step out of your comfort zone, get a head start and do the unthinkable because, after all, you have the human capability to do anything you desire.