This I Believe...I am Myself | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

This I Believe...I am Myself

Based off the NPR prompt, This I Believe is an article discussing the comparing of people in our world today.

15
This I Believe...I am Myself
www.playbuzz.com

This I believe... I am not my sister. Although my sister is great, I am my own person. I have grown up with different people and have had different opportunities and struggles. Therefore, how can I be the same as my sister? I have different interests and different values. I spend my time doing different things, and I have different expectations of me. How then can I be my sister? For almost 16 years people have been comparing my sister and I. It’s time to stop. No siblings, friends, peers, or people should ever be compared. We all have had different experiences, and we are all different people. No one is on the same playing field, so why do we constantly compare ourselves? All high schoolers take the same multiple choice ACT test for college applications, and while some are great at testing, others may be just as smart but can not demonstrate their knowledge with A, B, C, or D. In the media of today, “a beautiful woman” is described as a size 2, but not everyone can attain that standard even with exercise and diet. So why then do we assess women's beauty by comparing them to an unattainable figure? This constant comparing lowers people's self-esteems by great amounts and makes them think they are not good enough. Why would anyone want to feel that way? Instead of comparing people, and showing people what they don't have, why don’t we talk about what people do have? My mother may not have a medical degree like my father, but that does not mean she is any less intelligent. I am positive my father would never have the patience or skill set to work with low test scoring middle schoolers, but my mother does every day. My sister wants to pursue a career theater, but she doesn’t want to go to broadway or NYC, she wants to perform in Milwaukee. In what way does that make her any less successful of an actor compared to someone on Broadway? If someone can run a mile in 5 minutes, but another person can run it one in 7 minutes, does that make that 7-minute mile person and less of a runner? They are still running aren’t they? They still put the same amount of time and effort in, right? And who knows maybe they started at a 10-minute mile… I would consider a three-minute change a huge improvement. So why then does the person with the 5-minute mile get to be considered the better runner? This constant comparing is helping no one but the 1% of the population that are able to be at the very top. So why then do we do it? I believe people need to stop comparing. I believe people need to be themselves, and that's all. I believe everyone has a talent and is skilled in their own way. I believe that I am not my sister, parents, friends, or peers. I am myself, this I believe.

 

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

146250
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

36066
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

31993
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments