This issue, I didn’t feel like writing about more senior events, sports or anything for that matter. My mind has been completely blank except for one topic: effort.

Google’s definition of effort is a vigorous or determined attempt, the result of an attempt or strenuous physical or mental exertion.

The amount of effort that people put into their everyday lives constantly vary. If family members don’t try to visit each other or keep in touch, the connection begins to fade. When couples don’t put their all into the relationship, it could fail. The total effort students put into turning in their work on time, or how much they bother to actually learn a subject instead of taking shortcuts is mind-boggling. How many hours of planning that goes into teacher’s lesson plans is admirable. How much thought coaches put into their workouts to make sure their athletes are trained is honorable. But not everyone puts in the effort to be the best they can be.

Anyone can tell who puts in the efforts everyday. It shows from person to person. If one doesn’t put in enough into his or her activity, but sees someone else prosper in the same event, jealousy occurs.

I think that jealousy leads to wanting what the other person has so much it that runs their life. Then what? A person starts putting their time into wanting what the other has, instead of bettering themselves and putting more into the right thing. Instead of being the best person one can be, they end up being like someone else, and I don’t think that that’s our purpose in life.

Effort. Effort is what gets us places. The will and need to get up everyday requires a minimum amount of effort, but going through the day requires every ounce for some. I respect those who don’t give up. I know what it’s like to not want to go to school, or practice, do homework, and to want to be as naturally good as someone. All in all, it doesn’t matter what anyone wants unless they put in the effort to be as good as they can.

Coming to the end of the year, I’ve really seen who has put in maximum amount of effort, and I know that I could have put more into some things. I’ve seen people give it their all and still fail. I’ve seen people prosper off of others’ hard work. There’s a very slim chance that all of one’s effort will put them on a perfect path to success, but that shouldn’t stop us from trying to be the best we can. Everyone goes through struggles and hardships, but generally the ones going through the most are the ones who stay putting in 100% of their effort.

I want to encourage people to try to be like Google’s definition of effort, and to try and make constant determined attempts to be their best. Not to just long after others’ successes from their effort, but to not have any regrets about what they have done when everything is said and done.