To see change in the world you must first be the change you want to see. This need to become the very best person one can be, the struggle to find perfection in an imperfect world, is a task reserved for the optimistic, the idealistic, and the strong willed. Although cynicism tends to be the rule, I have spent my life preparing to be the exception. As a member of the Boy Scouts, I learned that doing the right thing, even when the alternative seems much easier, is well worth the difficulty because it strengthens character. Fifty mile hikes have a way of humbling the most stubborn of constitutions. Furthermore, as a member of the Bayside High School Track Team, I learned that, no matter how much your body hurts, you have to driven to achieve success and to be the best. For example, when I first started practicing for long distance runs, my legs always wanted me to stop but my mind always kept pushing me to keep going. Because of all of my hard work and despite my trepidation, I am now one of the top runners in New York City. The glory of overcoming adversity has always inspired me to be a better person and to keep going in spite of the instant gratification of quitting. Ultimately, the truth is that life is a struggle for perfection that can never fully be achieved, but that betters you in the act of pursuit. I will keep chasing perfection and I will continue to get better because it is these acts of dedication and sacrifice give that life texture and meaning.