everyone is unique from the rest of the world in a significant way. everyone is similar to the rest of the world in a significant way.
pause.
our culture values certain ways. every culture values certain ways. the tendency is to expect everyone value the ways that we value, because of course we have picked the right ways. when someone values a different way -also known as living a different way or being a different way- they are not as good, or at least not as right.
BUT
everyone is unique from the rest of the world in a significant way. everyone is similar to the rest of the world in a significant way. we are all unique. we are all the same. its part of what makes us human. humanity.
i am unique from the entire culture in a specific way. maybe if i would just realize the existence of my own uniqueness i would stop judging the uniqueness of others. especially the particularly weird uniquenesses. we must appreciate our own uniqueness to appreciate the uniqueness of others.
...
to appreciate our own uniqueness we must appreciate that uniqueness exists. if we believe that there is only one right, best, real, good way - then we cannot accept our own uniqueness and thus cannot accept the uniqueness of others.
this is different than the popular tolerance. this is different than relative truth. this is accepting humanity for what it is. this is accepting that we as humans were uniquely made.
the doctor fixes what others cannot fix. his healing is his uniqueness.
the evangelist speaks what others do not dare speak. this bold audacity is their uniqueness.
the prophet sees and hears injustice that others cannot see and hear. this discernment is the prophet’s uniqueness.
the business man stands when others sit. his ability and professionalism is his uniqueness.
the orphan knows loneliness that others cannot know. their experience, and their consequent knowledge is their uniqueness.
.and their uniqueness is their gift.
without each other’s uniqueness we have nothing and are worth nothing and can succeed at nothing. not all of us could have the discernment of the prophet or the prophet would have no one to rebuke. not all of us could have the boldness of the preacher, or they would have no one to listen. not all of us could have the success of the business man, or he would have no one to support, found, provide for or lead.
our uniqueness makes us a body. let us not be a parallelogram where all sides are equal. we would have no use. a lump. let us have muscles and kneecaps and big toes and veins. And if you are a joint, recognize that you are a joint, and don’t try to be a stomach. and don’t try to make everyone else into a joint. or even a stomach. respect that without the forearm and the upper-arm or muscles or blood the elbow joint would be useless and purposeless.
we need each other and we need each other’s uniqueness. and we need our own uniqueness. and we need our gifts. we need to give what we have and receive what we don't. and that can't happen we we try to be what we aren't. or when we try to make others what they are not. uniqueness is real and it is really good. it is really in you. and it is really in me too.
