Many of us during our academic careers have discussed the great artists, writers, and creators of decades past. We read Shakespeare and works by Oscar Wilde. We see the beautiful architecture of cathedrals. Creation is everywhere, and countless creators have been both immortalized and forgotten.

While this is great for learning some of the "dos" and "do nots" for various mediums, it can also be incredibly daunting for those of us just coming onto the scene and struggling to follow the rules, let alone developing one's own style within the niche that's been created. Children in schools will read Edgar Allen Poe and then be expected to create their own work, and while some may not stumble across this road block, others will build unrealistic expectations for themselves despite the fact that anything they create likely will not compare to that of the greats.

Now, I do not mean this to sound negative, but it is realistic. Poems, stories, sonnets and paintings that have survived through the ages are the best of the best, and we use them as models or even goals. But, a little girl in middle school who is just starting out can't compare herself to these. Use them as an example? Sure. But there's a huge difference between writing an assignment for class and pouring your life and soul into progressing further into creation and art. I would never expect a first year in high school to be as talented as Van Gogh! They are missing the years of experience and knowledge and emotional happenings that influenced him every step of the way, for better or for worse.

Part of the beauty of art is that two people could take the same idea and the end result would be two completely different creations. So why do we waste our time comparing ourselves to the works of those that have already made it? Chances are they spent hours scrapping projects and scratching out attempts, and we're only seeing the final product.

So to my artists, to my writers and photographers, to my sculptors and musicians and storytellers: do not get discouraged. We all have to start at square one. But keep at it, and the end result will be beautiful--and more importantly, it will be you.