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jsapril submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter telling the world about what makes you strong 1 year ago What makes ME STRONG? NOTHING
Jake AprilThe Secret to My Strength?
Well, to put it simply, “nothing,” said Jake for 25 years of his life. Now, in the middle of his 26th year around the Sun, it’s SOMETHING: more than SOMETHING, add an S after that G!
Bear with me, as I invite you to think about a time you could not help but compare: for me, that is every day! Every day, I think of someone who is better than me, whether it be getting to the top of a physical mountain or the mountain that is my mind, telling me to not write this story because I’m not going to win the contest for $350.
“I don’t want to fail, someone’s going to have a better story… this is to much! Oh Jake, you went to Hofstra University for a graduate degree in Sports Journalism, and you make a mistake that is equivalent to forgetting to breathe! Have you heard of google? You know, it’s only your life preserver when it comes to knowing anything in this world; you are not Bill Gates! After all, your initials do indicate that you’re “just average”. You will never be Bill gates! That is the old Jake April aka “Just Average.”
Don’t worry, I did not call myself that, but I do know how to dramatize… I guest the award I should win is: Best Actor because the way I dramatize is not “Just Average”, it’s better!
Better is what I want to focus on here: better is a word I would use all the time. Quite frankly, I still do!
Now though, I’m not going to say I’m better than any of you. I’m not going to lie, do I think I should win the contest because mine is not better compared to all of you? Heck yes… you should think yours is better, too. What it comes down to is: not winning the money, but how did I do? Not how did YOU do; I ALREADY WON! WHY? Doing my BEST is the MONEY; I did NOT leave any lose change for me to look down to!
As I wrap this up, the climax of this story is: did I lift the Strongest Weight I Could Today, And Not Compare It to You.
So, what is my strongest suit; it is not to compare my cards to you. As the famous Randy Pausch said, “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” In life we are all dealt different hands!
Voting is closed
Jake!!! You are so right! You should always compare yourself only to yourself and never anyone else. Keep getting better. Keep growing. I love Randy Pausch. Funny you quoted him, I was just talking about him. You are strong because you show up. You keep trying and working and growing! And that’s amazing!!!!! Keep being you Your time will come. <3 Lauren
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Thanks, Lauren!
It is because of you and The Unsealed that I have realized my value in life. I hope EVERYONE understands that you ALL have value UNSEALED POTENTIAL! PUN INTENDED!!
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Jake, this message is so good. Your strength is being yourself and not letting comparisons affect others around you and yourself. In this world, a lot of people compare and contrast and that doesn’t help them get stronger but weaker. Great letter.
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Yes!! You should never compare yourself to anyone else. Life is way to short to live in the image of someone else. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
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