There was time when we all wanted to be that person or to be somebody other than ourselves. We were envious of the others around us because we thought they were better than us. They had the cuter clothes, the better parents, the better house, car. Anything. They were better than us and we wanted to be them or be exactly like them and that created this huge problem that manifested itself in all of us. Years later, we realize we had it better than them because they had materialistic things that were of materialistic value. Nothing really mattered to them. There are so many things I'd rather be than somebody else.

I mean we get compared to our friends or our family members and people ask "Why can't you be more like so and so?" You know what, that doesn't make me feel good. To me you are diminishing my self worth and that infuriates me a little bit. Why does everyone compare others to someone else? We are the way we are and if you don't like who we are, then you can just disappear because I don't need anybody telling me that I need to be more like so and so. So, I'd rather be:

Hard working

Because being called smart makes us think we don't have to work or study hard for anything; that what we do comes easily for us without having to pick up a book or pencil and study.

Dedicated

I'd rather be dedicated to one thing or another than be all over the place. If I'm dedicated I'm giving it my all so that you can realize what I am capable of.

Strong

I don't need to dependent on somebody else; I can get by on my own. It means I have weathered through the toughest of times and come out knowing better and can help others in the end. I've grown an outer shell that can withstand the hard times that I know are to follow.

A listener

I'll listen to your problems and help you. Listening means it's not all about you.

A problem solver

I can do things with or without your help, but being able to do it myself means I have something going for me. I can look at the big picture and get the context of what I'm looking for.

Unique

I am me and you are you. There is only one of each of us and there are no duplicates. We have similar interests, but at the end of the day I dress how I dress, read what I read, talk like I talk, and you do you.

Normal

Some of us have it easy when it comes to things whereas for others' their parents's pushed them and made it this huge thing. Like pageants and dance, you had to be perfect, insane diets, certain activities, you didn't get to have fun. What was "fun" for you was something you were thrown into. I'd rather be normal and do what I want than be a barbie doll or be a vessel for my parents to relive their glory days.

Content

I may not be sad or happy, but I'm okay with where I'm at in life and if I want to change it I can at any point. I can be content with who I am.

Organized

I have everything in my life neat and impeccable, but that's because it's how I appear. If I appear confident and in control than you can never know what's going on inside my head or in my life. If I lead an organized life, there is a place for everything.

Creative

I can make something amazing with a little bit of creativity. I can design lights for a theatre production and have people compliment my work because it was my idea, a concept that formed and no one can take the credit for my work. I can write a book and it can be a piece of art because it came from me and is different and new.

Inspirational

I can be a role model, but I don't want you to be me and try to imitate me. I can prove that you can inspire the best in people without them changing who they are.

Secure

I am secure in knowing that I have a place to land if things get bad. I have a network and a place to go if I need to. I am secure in how I look and don't need to change to fit someone's ideal image of a perfect women.

Loved

We are surrounded by those who love us for who we are and those that can't obviously can't see that. We are admired and lusted after, but those that love us see us through the bad and the good. They know the REAL us.

Captivating

I don't want to be pretty, pretty signifies just a glance in the direction, we aren't really noticed. I want to be captivating. I want to hold your interest just long enough so that you'll take the time to actually notice me and get to know me.

Grounded

I know where I come from and I haven't forgotten my roots, nor the people who have made me who I am.

Kind

I offer kindness to anyone and everyone because kindness goes a long way. A compliment can save someone.

Humble

I don't see myself as better than somebody else. I see that if somebody does something better than me it means they have a better talent for it or it means I need to practice more.

Perfect

There is no such thing as perfect, but if we believe we are perfect than we are. In our eyes we are perfect. We try to be perfect and it's an illusion, but to us everything we do can be perfect because if we believe ourselves to be perfect than what we do is perfect.

Living

I'd rather be living than existing because there is a big difference between them. You exist in life, but living means you experience what life has to offer.

Adventurous

I may not go out of my comfort zone all that much, but the times I do I can be fun and enjoy life. Just like the cover photo shows. I'm on top of a cliff in San Sebastian, Spain on the coast and I never thought I would climb a cliff, but there I am. I am living in the moment, but I did something I never really thought I would do. How I wasn't scared to do it, I'll never know.

Different

What makes everyone different is what makes them unique. I'd rather be different than be the same carbon copy of another person. Differences are what should be celebrated. We shouldn't be crammed into a category, we are all individuals who are nothing like the person before us.

Most of all I'd like to be

ME

The best person to be is myself! I am who I am because of all these things that make me an individual. I'm sorry to those who don't realize they have to be somebody else to be happy. For a long time I thought I needed to be somebody else, but if that was the case than there would not be this hard-working, dedicated, strong, bright, beautiful woman standing here now. And if you can't accept that, then I don't know where we stand.