This will be long so get comfy… I find myself struggling with the question, what is confidence and what is cockiness?? Let me preface by saying I was raised in a culture where modesty is cheered. Saying “Yea, im ok” when you really are the bomb.com is more socially correct as to not seem, ‘arrogant’.. As i’m getting older, I can’t help but wonder, why we do this? I find myself questioning the moral behind downplaying yourself.

Everyone wants the underdog to win but no one wants the underdog to overstate their gifts. I’ll use a new human phenomenon that has everyone going crazy.. Mr. Jeremy Lin aka Linsanity. His story is incredible, cut from two teams, I believe, and was almost cut from the Knicks until his recent opportunity to showcase his skills. Jeremy Lin has always had incredible skill (hence, his recruitment into the nba) but you didn’t hear of him until recently.

I do believe in, let your action speak for itself but what do we say when someone says, how are you with ______??? Do we give them the im okay response?? What does that do? Then you get out there and shine, does that make you seem better than what they expected? Recently, I was hanging out with a friend and he told me he thought I was arrogant. I found it ironic he said that. This friend knows I do a particular activity and always asks “hey do you think you can beat so and so??” or… “Do you think anyone can beat you??” To that I respond, no I dont think they can beat me or I don’t know. Most of the time in any activity I wont say anything, just wait until I perform but why should I do that all the time? I believe theres a diff between someone asking how you are at something and you willingly volunteering this information saying youre the greatest. If you don’t have confidence in yourself who will? My secret is, I may not be able to beat you or anyone else but I will not act defeated before the race starts. Coming in thinking you will win youre less likely to give any slack or make any excuses.. When you think “oh, im just ok” you may give up at the smallest sign of defeat.

I AM GREAT!!! Even if I don’t “succeed” at everything, I give my all, that in itself is success. If I ever say, im just okay at something its for you NOT for me. When you apply for a job, the real question is, can you get the job done?? Most employers dont want to hear, “I think so”.. Its yes or no. So, i’d like to say, its okay to be confident, as long as you can back your words. However, don’t be a good trash talker and never show your actions lol… In one of the lines in  Marianne Williamsons famous quoted passage she states “..Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine…” Shine!!!! I love challenges, and if you beat me at ANYTHING (it could be a cookie eating contest) i’ll accept my loss and swiftly plan for the part 2.. I just can’t go out like that Lol. Ill prob challenge you until I beat you haha.. but maybe thats just my competitive nature.

Another quick example… You ever notice that people tend to rob or bully ppl who “look” easy to conquer? Sometimes your “look” sets the stage for whats to come. Just by looking like youre someone who ppl shouldnt mess with youve prob eliminated half of your encounters (even if you dont truly feel that way inside). So next time someone asks.. Hey are you good at (insert any random thing here)??? Ill just smile and say, “youll have to see!!” or “Heck Yea!!” Always have a confident attitude in life, whether its fitness, socially, academically, it makes a difference.. 

 Let me know how you guys feel, I’m really curious.. Do we sometimes cross the line to fast of calling someone arrogant when they are just confident?? What makes you arrogant and what makes you confident?? Let me know.