To You Who Is Better Than Me:
Whether you are better than me at academics, at sports, at being a friend/sibling or whatever it may be, thank you.
Thank you for showing me the areas in which I needed to improve. The places in which you thrived showed me the places in which I was falling short. These realizations helped me to improve myself. Thank you for helping me see those areas in which I needed work. And thank you for constantly teaching me humility.
Thank you for the constant pushing. The fact that there was somebody that was better than me only encouraged me to strive for greater perfection. You had the ability to do something that I was not able to, and I wanted nothing more than to have the ability to do what I was not yet able to do. You helped me become the best person I could.
Thank you for helping me become the person I am today. With your constant pushing, I became the person I am today. The hard-working, persevering, humble young woman I became would not have happened without you. Thank you for the inspiration to become my own person, but making sure that I am the absolute best version of myself.
Thank you for being you. You had the courage to be the beautiful person that God made you to be, and you let your strengths shine. You never gave up just because times got hard. You kept striving to be the best person that you could. You shared your gifts and talents with all of us around you, and helped us all become the best versions of ourselves. Never stop being the wonderful son/daughter of God that you were created to be.
We all have our specific roles that Christ has given to us and you helped me to see that we can all work together to bring those out. You help me accomplish my mission from Christ, and I help you accomplish yours. A little competition was never bad; it only helped us become better people. It was very frustrating at times, but it also helped me feel pride in what I had accomplished. I knew that the grade, the award, the praise or whatever it was, I had earned for myself. I worked hard and gave it my all, and because you were there pushing me to be my best, I was proud of what I had accomplished.
I have recently discovered the beauty of hard work, and what lessons it has to offer. I would never have learned the lessons of hard work that I did if it weren't for you and your constant nagging me to strive to be better. All of the frustration has made me a better person. All of the hard work has gotten me to where I am today. I am proud of what I have accomplished. I am thankful. Thankful for those who have supported me throughout the years, most definitely. But I am also so very thankful for those who have been better than me. You pushed me to be better.
Thank you and God bless,
A hard-working, persevering, humble young woman
