Middle school, high school, college, or sports. I've never been the one to get put up on a pedestal as if I had been sent by God himself.

There are always the children who have been praised since they took their first step into preschool. However, I've never been that kid, as much as sometimes wish I had been. I feel like I should be recognized from time to time, just like everyone else. Is it so wrong to yearn for that feeling of importance?

I've always received good grades, been involved and active, and worked hard for what I want, but it never seems to be enough to be rewarded with a "good job," or an "I'm proud of you". I'm not asking for a huge cash reward, my name on a plaque, or a statue of me. I just want something to keep me pushing on and doing well.

Is it because what I do in my free time is different than theirs? Because I voice my opinion more often than I bite my tongue?

Because let's admit it, there's nothing better than hearing someone important to you tell you that all of your hard work is noticed and appreciated.

To be honest, I feel like my teachers, coaches, and peers typically criticized me more than praised me. At "Back to School Night" one year, my mom was told that I'm "not the brightest bulb" even though I had an A in the course. If I did something that wasn't popular, I would be attacked for liking something different than the general population.

The same people were the ones to be commended time and time again for doing next to nothing, no matter what it was. These people could simply just say "bless you," to someone who had sneezed, then have a Facebook post written about them on the school's page. Even after graduation, they're still spoken about like newfound heroes.

I understand that not everything needs to have attention called to it, but from time to time, it would be nice to know I'm not doing everything for no reason. Sometimes humans need reassurance and need to feel secure, which can come from hearing just a few words.

I will admit I'm a little jealous of these people, but it just all seems like motivation to keep going until I get the long overdue credit.

To put it in simpler terms, I'm like that one song that always gets skipped. But once you listen to it, you realize it's actually a bop.