I have spent many years worrying that I do not have any talents. Often times it feels like I am surrounded by talented, passionate people, whether their love lies in sports, art, or music, and I sometimes worry that I did not fit the mold of talent.

I was the kid who dabbled in everything — eight years of soccer teams, fifteen years of dance, miscellaneous art classes, a few years of trying musical theatre, a commendable effort at playing the trumpet, and four years of high school track and field. Although it may appear impressive that I could try my hand at so many different things, I never felt terribly passionate about one or the other.

As I began my high school career and found myself with few interests besides dance and a new career in track and field, I often felt discouraged that I would never find my niche like most of my peers had. It was not until senior year when I was taught a valuable lesson by a friend and realized that maybe I did not need a talent to be successful.

In a bout of worry during that senior year, I confessed to a close friend that I often felt talentless. They replied by saying something that has stuck with me — “You don’t need a talent to be great, being you is enough.”

It may not have made me feel better in the moment, but looking back, I realize how meaningful this text was. I still think about it to this day and have come to terms with the fact that I am me, even if that means that I lack a specific passion. I will never apologize for being me.

I used to confuse my lack of one specific talent with having no passion at all, but this is not true. I feel passionately about many things, and it is not a bad thing that I do not have a love for just one thing in particular.

I have learned and recognized that not everyone has one niche talent, and I now accept that this is okay. Just because I do not feel an intense love for one of my many passions does not mean that I am talentless.

Although I may not have found a particular passion in any of my endeavors, I am proud that I was able to dabble in multiple areas such as art, music, and sports. Being versatile and open to trying so many things is a talent and something to be proud of in itself.

There are many times when I am with my friends who have a very distinct passion for one thing, and sometimes I slip back into thinking that I am talentless because I do not feel as strongly for anything as they do. In those times, I remind myself of that text and that talent does not define success. Greatness can come from yourself and who you are, not just from having a talent.