let your uniqueness come shining through

“You are you. The wonder of life comes in finding your own rhythm to the dance, your own way of seeing the world, your own brush stroke, phrase, or special combination.”

― Melody Beattie

There is an old story about a writer who goes to his teacher and says, “Teacher, all the stories have already been told. There is no need for me to write. Everything that needs to be said has already been written.” 

“It’s true that there are no new stories. The universal lessons have been taking place for a long, long time. And the same themes have influenced humanity since the dawn of time,” the teacher replies. “But no one sees that story through your eyes. And no one else in the world will tell that story exactly the way you will. Now return to your desk, pick up your pen, and tell the world what you see.”

We have much in common with each other, yet each of us — as an individual — is unique. We have different opinions, thoughts, beliefs, and our own unique perception of the world dictated by the sum of impressions that we have experienced so far in life.

Each of us has our own strengths, weaknesses, gifts, shortcomings, talents, vulnerabilities—our own flawsome personality. Instead of falling into the comparison and competition trap letting our ego dictate our actions, we must become bold and let our uniqueness come shining through. 

Shakti Gawain once wrote, “We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own or to other peoples’ models, learn to be ourselves, and allow our natural channels to open.”

Reveal your personality — both the good and the bad parts —  to the world. Respect how much you have in common with others. And then, be your most authentic and vulnerable self. Be uniquely you, and let the chips fall wherever they may.