Hello everyone, 

This piece was written by my teammate Lana Bowers, but it is amazing. I read it the other day and told her I had to submit it to you, because it is perfect for what you are looking for. I hope that's ok.  I think it's really good.

Being called the best is only temporarily, allowing someone to be complacent.  So why do it? Complacency is the enemy. Doing things to please others--the enemy.

Why do I do what I do?

Because every step I take is to be the best? A.K.A.: complacent?

I don't want to be called the best. That is people putting limits on my mind, strapping it to definable standards. My standards cannot be seen. With every step I take, my standards also get higher. People who are supposed to be the "best" get written down on a list or in a book, perhaps talked about amongst people who themselves are mediocre, because while they are reading my name, they are wasting valuable time, time they could use to better themselves. I want to be known or remembered for going hard, never losing a foothold, never looking back to see how high I've gone because that will only stir either pride or self doubt--both are deadly. Money is to save, energy is to blow. When I have nothing left to give, that is when I start to grow. My energy does not have a current balance, nor can you count its worth. You can't see it or touch it because it is infinite, But only as long as my mind allows it to be.

Failure is the world saying that my energy was given in vain.

Failure is me saying that success is not the only thing to gain. Why do I do what I do? Not for your satisfaction, that is for sure. I love the journey, I love the grind. The harder it gets, the stronger I get. Another step up the mountain. My time will NOT be wasted.

Failure is my friend, pushing me to be greater. It is what holds me accountable, keeps me more honest than the false hope the world feeds me.

They don't, they won't define me. They don't know me. I am ten feet tall and bullet proof. Don't they know that? You won't shake me. My mind doesn't take a second off. My discipline is infallible, because my failure holds me accountable. Go ahead, test me. If you can catch me, you won't find me here.

I've already taken the next step.