Sitting in my creative writing class, listening to everyone's beautifully written poems, I can't help but look down at my own and think, God, this is mediocre. It seemed that everyone else was able to create these stunning poems in a short span of fifteen minutes, while the piece I had been working on for days now was still "weak," according to my professor. They had that 'it' factor: that natural creative edge that allowed them to craft philosophical poems and intense stories that impacted an audience. They were born with 'it'...and it looked like I wasn't. I began to doubt myself; was switching to an English major the best idea?

You see, I'm the kind of person where facts, statistics, and concrete ideas come naturally to me. Memorization and recitation are what I've been good at since I began my education. That's what we are taught in school: to memorize, recall, and recite information. So when it came to school work, I considered myself "a natural;" it just came easily to me. And while I was "book smart," I had always loved reading and writing. I loved the way I could see inside the mind of another human from a different time on Earth. I loved stringing words together to create sentences that expressed my deepest inner feelings. But I had never seen myself as having the chops to be a writer for the rest of my life--until I came to college.

I quickly discovered that while I was good at sticking to the books, it wasn't something I loved to do; I couldn't see myself reciting facts and information for the rest of my life. I wanted to create the books, not just read from them. I wanted to write to touch people's hearts and to help others do the same. So I made the decision to switch my major, and for a while I was happy. I believed I had found my place in life, that I finally knew what I would do for the rest of my life.

Now, I'm not a bad writer, either--not the best, but I'd say I'm pretty good. This gave me the confidence to switch. However, sitting in my English class and hearing nothing but praise for the others, the "naturals," and only criticism meeting my ears, I doubted myself. I wasn't cut out for this life of reading and writing and editing. I just wasn't good at it because I wasn't born with that 'it' factor.

But then I had a friend (the very best of friends, might I add) sit me down at my kitchen table and tell me that I was acting stupidly. That everything about being "a natural" that I thought so often about was a bunch of BS. And it really is. Just because you aren't born with a natural ability to do something doesn't mean you can't learn it. Sure, it takes a ton of perseverance and determination, especially when others will cut you down, but if it's something you want, then for God's sake (and your own), go for it!

So here's to the people who have passion. To the people who may not be the best, but they are damn sure willing to work on it. To the people who have compared themselves and their work to others and have felt inferior. Just because you aren't a natural doesn't mean you can't be the best. Use the passion you have for the thing you love most in this world, the thing you want so badly it hurts, to fuel your fire, and I guarantee you will get there one day. The fact that you are willing to put so much time and effort into something you truly love is not only admirable, but makes everything you accomplish worth so much more, something "a natural" can't exactly say. Look out naturals--here come the underdogs.