The Unique in Me/The Unique in You

I was always different. Instead of what most people liked, I liked something else. Instead of chocolate sundaes, I liked butterscotch. Instead of maple syrup, I liked blueberry, and instead of Coke or Pepsi, I liked root beer. As I got older, I liked art and none of the rest of my family did. I wanted to travel and see the world, and my mom was happy staying home. As an adult, I like writing and am a great observer. When I travel, I write in the Notes or Google Docs App in my phone every day. I use voice recognition and speak as I traverse various places. I want to capture my thoughts and feelings at the moment that I have them. When I get home, I write a trip diary. Some, I just keep as a souvenir for me, and others, I expand into a book. It’s my way of sharing what I learned to educate others about the people and culture I visited and to inspire others to do their dreams. Traveling is one of my dreams, and I hope that in seeing me do my dreams, it encourages others to do theirs.

One day, when I was older, my dad told me that I was different than the rest of the family. I felt sad hearing that, but I knew it was true. I’m the spiritual one, involved in church, and loving God. I want to be all God created me to be and to do his will for my life. That’s my life desire. I also love going to cultural events: plays, musicals, museums, operas, and symphonies. I love the arts: color, design, fashion, cooking, literature, music, dance – anything where my artistic spirit can take reign. Engaging in the arts feels like freedom to me. Writing is my special niche. When I write, my whole body calms, my spirit feels soothed, and peace returns. All is right in the world.

That’s some of the unique in me. What’s the unique in you? What’s your blueberry instead of maple? Everyone has their likes, dislikes, traits, and distinctions. The world is like a huge box of markers filled with billions of colors and shades. What color are you? What shade of that color? Bright or tamed? I like aqua, turquoise, and soft rose, representing the vibrant, extroverted, energetic part of me and the softer lady and poet. I love Shakespeare, the high of the high-brow, with plays like Hamlet and Macbeth, and the more accessible comedies, filled with fairies and magical tales. The world may be grounded in reality, but it’s fun to venture into magic musings, for there’s magic in life– that “Je ne sais quoi” where gravity keeps spinning and our feet stay planted, and the world keeps orbiting around the sun for billions of years. The magic’s messages to us? Keep spinning at our own spin.

So, take time and reflect. What’s the magic in you? Let it out, and shine on – the unique in you, the unique in me. We can light up the realm with our special selves and create a glowing, colorful world, so rich and beautiful in its variety that it looks like a global Christmas tree from space. That’s the power of owning our uniqueness, not to compete with others, but to offer our special quirks, interests, and gifts to the world. After all, the great creator made us all to be unique creations, eternal Christmas gifts that we unwrap and reveal throughout our lives. . There’s always a new root beer instead of Coke or Pepsi to discover. So, I’ll shine as my unique self the best that I can, and I hope that everyone shines as their unique selves, for it fills the world with everyone’s special brand of blessings, talents, and love.

Image photo taken by Jennifer Jordan.

C BY-SA 4.0)