Life is a very unique journey. As cliché as it sounds, it is what you make it. The word “you” in that sentence cannot be emphasized enough because you are the only you on this planet. Even in the case of identical twins, each has his or her own individual personality and life purpose, despite being mirror images of one another. Every human is meant to be their own person. That fact is easily overlooked and often understated in a world where it seems as though everyone aspires to be someone they are not. Parents are sometimes even guilty of this with their children, often enforcing a template of who they want them to become instead of allowing them to be who they are. Granted, as humans we all possess similar goals and desires which are rooted in our natural hunger for success or happiness. This is a positive aspect of mankind, the ability to surround yourself with inspiring people who happen to have the same mindset as you do. We all have someone whom we admire or view as a motivating figure. The problem comes in where the path to the finish line appears easier for or more quickly reached by others than it is for YOU and self-doubt begins to creep in. This can discourage and convince people that the world is against them. They begin to question the purpose or significance of their life when it seems that there is no way to get ahead, constantly being set back or reminded that someone else is always ahead of them in the game of life. For them, the journey becomes more of a burden than an adventure. Instead of embracing and appreciating their climb to the top and the obstacles faced along the way, they begin to despise it and desire to emulate others’ steps to the summit.

Many young people, and even those of older age, are going through this very same dilemma today. “Will I ever find a way out of this boring life?” “Am I not worthy of being as happy as this other person [seems]?” “What do they have that I do not?” Unfortunately, these questions of self-doubt are only beneficial in digging deeper into an already extensive trench. Social media accelerates this process by handing out incessant slaps to the face in regards to how far “behind” you are in life. The daily scrolling past instagram influencers or peers who, from the outside looking in, appear to have the perfect life gives birth to the anxiety that plagues many people today. We have a tendency as human beings to forget about all the progress we’ve made in our lives once we see that someone else’s grass is undeservingly greener than our own. Feeling inadequate in any aspect of life can be deflating for a person’s psyche, creating a downward spiral culminating in depression, self-doubt and debilitating stress. If you are reading this and noticed those words resonate with you, you are certainly not alone.

Rest assured that no matter how mundane or insignificant your life may seem in comparison to others, it isn’t. The reason for this lies in the fact that one life is not meant to be compared with another because life is a personal journey. Each life experience is an individual trek toward excellence in its own special way, an excellence that can be only defined by the adventurer, not the observer. Human lives are similar to snowflakes in that no two are exactly the same. Each one is beautiful and unique in its own way, composed of different patterns and complex designs. Each has components that the other does not; no two are exactly alike and no single one is perfect in every facet. Snowflakes do not have the ability to notice their differences, let alone become insecure about them. Why can’t humans be the same? Always remember that no one will appreciate the beauty of your life and the journey it takes you on if you do not first appreciate it yourself. Take pride in the fact that you have full control of your adventure and what transpires along the way. Every difference from other people should be worn like a badge of honor – “I am not the same as you, my path in life is not the same as yours. I stand separately,” should be a mantra that is proudly uttered.

Take for instance the vast variety of automobiles that we see every day on the roads of our cities. Every vehicle you see pass you by has its own story and has been on its own unique journey; the same goes for the people you see every day. Think of your absolute favorite vehicle, or your “dream car” that you would do anything to have. All the trimmings, the thunderous engine, the perfect color and wheels – the whole nine yards. You have this car to show as your prized possession, it is one of a kind and no one else has one like it. It has its own history and has forged its own path to where it is now, in your possession. To make things even sweeter, imagine you perfected this work of art yourself. Now, with that same masterpiece in mind, imagine a world where 100% of the vehicles occupying the roads and highways were that exact car. A world where there is no longer a plethora of car companies, no selection of different colors or options but only the dream car that you just envisioned. Would your car still be as special to you? The answer to that question is obviously no. The dream you had of being viewed as standing out with your own personal masterpiece would instantly become a nightmare now that everyone has the same one as you do. Now, do you see the importance and the subtle beauty of being different?

The previous analogy can fittingly be applied to the distinctions between your path in life and another’s path. When in doubt, take a step back and realize that whatever you are currently going through along your journey is just one of many things you will get through in order to reach the finish line. Once that finish line is crossed, you will be able to proudly tell the story of how you did it differently than the person before you did, no matter where you place in life’s marathon. It is never about how quickly you reach your destination, it is about what you learn and experience along the way that truly defines the journey. Your pace or your track record may be different from the people you follow on instagram, but it is equally as marvelous. If the prospect of waking up each day knowing you have the exact same destiny as everyone else makes your skin crawl (as it should), shift your perspective to the beautiful fact that you create your own destiny in your own way. As a result of this, your journey in life has endless potential to be the dynamic, unique masterpiece that you want it to be. Your finish line can only be reached on your time and at your pace because as the cliché goes, life is what YOU make it.

Q.A.