Inspiration | Personal Development

Embrace Your Uniqueness

Yes, you are one of a kind!

Have you ever thought of yourself as a rare, unique, one-of-a-kind person? Of the 8 billion people on earth, no one is exactly like you. Think about that for a moment. Your uniqueness allows you to do things no one else can. Let’s explore just how unique you are!

How unique are you?

Do you feel unique? Do you ever think of yourself as unique? What does it mean to be unique? Does it matter? So many questions!

The simple definition of unique in the Oxford Languages online dictionary is:

“being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.”

Are you not the only you in existence? Isn’t it amazing every person on earth is individually unique? In fact, every person in all of history has been unlike anyone else who has ever lived.

The Population Research Bureau, founded in 1929, estimates our current population represents only 7% of the 117 billion people who have ever lived.

Yet every one of those 117 billion people was distinctive, with no two people identical. Sure, we call some people identical twins, but if you have ever met any, you quickly realize they are anything but identical in their behaviors and thoughts.

No two people could ever be exactly alike because no two people live precisely the same life. This is also true for animals. Ask anyone with pets if any two are identical, and they will tell you each has been unique. Like we humans, every animal has traits unlike any other! Don’t you find that amazing?

Your uniqueness

Of the 8 billion people alive now, you can consider yourself one of a kind. You live a life like no other, regardless of where or who you are.

Even in communist countries, where they supposedly attempt to treat everyone equally, no two people are identical. No one can ever force a person to be exactly like anyone else. We all know no two people have the same thoughts or behave identically at all times, regardless of society, situations, or circumstances.

Ultimately, no matter what anyone attempts to do to make you be, act, or feel, you are still uniquely you.

Since only you can be you, and only I can be me, why would we try to be someone else? Why do so many want to be something they are not? Why waste effort and energy attempting such things? Could it be because we are human, and that is just how humans are?

“You are the only one of you. From the beginning of time till the end of this world to the end of eternity.

There’s only one of you ever created. Ev-er. You are the only you. That’s pretty powerful.

So why on earth would you want to look like anybody else, dress like anyone else, dance like anyone else, be someone else, when you are a legend in your own right?”

Mia Michaels (1966-present)

The mystery of consciousness

What I find most astounding about our uniqueness is the complete mystery of consciousness. We all possess consciousness, or does it possess us? It impacts who we are and our distinctiveness.

As sophisticated as science, psychology, biology, neuroscience, philosophy, and technology are today, consciousness’s hows, whys, and wherefores remain a mystery.

Sure, we can define consciousness and explain it to a limited degree. But to truly understand it, where it originates, its purpose and a thousand other questions remain unanswered.

Could it be designed to remain a mystery for all time? Only God knows.

Without understanding consciousness, how could we begin to understand the utter distinctiveness of every individual?

Uniqueness and society

It is astonishing how our individuality plays out in society. It is the uniqueness of some individuals that makes them famous and sometimes infamous. Look at the distinctiveness of some of the most famous people in history. While there are too many to name, some individuals, like Jesus Christ, remain supremely unique. He continues to affect the lives of billions of people today, 2000 years after he was brutally murdered and resurrected from the dead! Most civilized societies maintain their structure and order because of His and Judeo-Christianity’s influence.

On the infamous side of uniqueness are people like Adolf Hitler. This one man influenced society and threw the world into chaos. Due to who he became, he was responsible for killing millions of people. Our world could do with far less of that kind of individuality!

There have always been and always will be societal pressures to control and suppress people’s distinctiveness. It is as true in countries where people enjoy liberty as where people are enslaved. Perhaps the single thing that most suppresses our individualism is so-called social norms.

How often do you not say something because it would be socially unacceptable or dress a certain way because of social norms? What about how you speak and act and a hundred other behaviors? Yes, we are not always encouraged to express our uniqueness, are we?

“Your uniqueness is your strength. Remember that. Don’t mold yourself to others or to what others think. You’re an individual. You’re special.” Austin Carlile (1987-present)

Embracing your uniqueness

Only you can do you. How do you want to do you?

Rather than pontificate on why our uniqueness is important, let’s examine what others have said about embracing who we are.

Considered a pioneer in television, he was a host, producer, author, and an ordained minister. His television show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood ran for more than 30 years! He certainly knew a great deal about people and their uniqueness. Following is what the beloved Mister Rogers had to say:

“As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has — or ever will have — something inside that is unique to all time.” Fred Rogers (1928–2003)

Does he not speak the truth? Read what another unique and highly successful author has to say about the subject:

“You’re an original, an individual, a masterpiece. Celebrate that; don’t let your uniqueness make you shy. Don’t be someone other than the wonder you are. Every star is important to the sky.” Douglas Pagels (1950-present)

I love the analogy of our uniqueness compared to the countless stars in the universe. There will never be another person like you, so why not embrace who you are and let your distinctiveness shine through?

We all share the need for water, food, air, and such to stay alive. Yet, outside these essentials, our most fundamental need is only filled with relationships. The vital need to love and be loved is created only in them. It is why we exist and what gives us life and the ability to thrive on this earth. For some of us, our most significant relationship is with Christ because of His unique, unfailing love.

Final thoughts

“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” Margaret Mead (1901–1978)

While you are a unique, one-of-a-kind individual, remember, everyone else is too. I would love to hear your thoughts about uniqueness and anything else touched on in this article. Please leave your comments below.

Now go, and be uniquely you!

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Bill Abbate Leadership Writer and Editor in ILLUMINATION

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