Much missed, much needed Beachisms

It's been a long time since I've sat in high school band class, so, naturally, I cannot specifically regurgitate a life lesson that we learned while waiting for the low brass to get it together (haha, just kidding!). But today I vividly remembered one of these lessons and realized the truth in what the directors lectured us about two years ago.

All through high school, I was shockingly (yes, shocking because it was so different from what I am now) competitive. Freshman year, I almost kicked myself in the face for being ranked 15 and was totally upset over any grade lower than a 95 (well, except that 93 in gym, I totally accepted that :P). How ridiculously lame is that?! There was always someone I aimed to beat--always someone ahead. Over the four years, I calmed down quite a bit but was still completely driven to do better than other people.

Now, at UGA, in a class of almost 6,000 people compared to the mere 500 of high school, I feel utterly overwhelmed trying to think the same way I used to. I feel as if my high school competitive personality just isn't me anymore. How can it be? Who can I even begin to compare myself to in such a big place? With this new attitude, life is, for sure, a lot more easy going. But, my accomplishments seem to be slipping. I'm not doing as well in academics as I know I can, and I'm not getting things that I want to get (extra-curricular stuff). I definitely haven't changed. It's not like I got any dumber after summer 2009... (maybe inhaled too many toxic chemicals in China..) and it's not like I've lost all motivation and hope in accomplishing my goals.

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Anyway, point is: you are your greatest competition. Take that Beachism and run with it, folks.