For a lot of kids, there seems to be this culture today of trying to "be the best." I just had this conversation with a favorite high schooler of mine. We met up for coffee and she broke down in tears explaining how drained she was of the competitive culture that is high school. And as I began to ask her reveal more of what might be causing her lack of whimsy thereof, she mentioned a few important factors. Comparisons with her friends. Constant discussion of grades. Beside individuals who do not see "friends" but rather "competitors." I asked her, "With all of these great things you have accomplished and high marks, five different activities and volunteer experiences, have you found happiness in what you have been doing?" When she thought about it for a while she responded, "I don't think so."

Probably one of the best pieces of advice I received during my student teaching was this: "If you aren't having fun while doing it, you aren't doing it right." How applicable that message is to every challenge we come across in life. 

I said well at the end of the day it does not matter "the list of things you have done." It is not about measuring yourself against others because look around, you will ALWAYS find someone better at the sport that YOU play or better at the vocation that YOU do. You come to realize that if you constantly compare yourself to others, you will not find happiness. Doing your personal best and being your personal best is all that you can do. It is only when you stop the comparisons that you can see true whimsy in your life. Because all that energy you have used to make comparisons is now shifted to energy in trying new things, seeing new things, experiencing new things and loving in a bigger way you ever thought possible.  There is whimsy in knowing and appreciating the fact that life is not a competition. It is not about what you have done but how and why you have done it.