HOME | DD
parallel-shift42 — An Individual's Value
Published: 2008-03-15 06:29:39 +0000 UTC; Views: 209; Favourites: 1; Downloads: 8
Redirect to original
Description
There are approximately 6 1/2 billion people alive on Earth right now. And though there may be thousands of similarities, there is no-one just like you. 100 years ago, there was a completely different batch of about 6 billion people. Not a single one of them was just like you. For all of history, no man, woman, or unfortunate mix, could never be like you. Nor will there ever be. No one has had the same experiences, the same thoughts, the same tastes and distastes, the same loves and fears. If they (we) all tried for our entire lives to be just like you, we simply couldn't do it. You are unique. You are literally one-of-a-kind. And even if you have nothing else, being YOU gives you unlimited value. Does that make you better? No. For you could never, for all of your life, ever be anyone else. But why would you want to? No one in all of space or time could ever be as good at being you as are. In the words of Thoreau, "...that the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse." This is your true power. Be who you are and don't let anyone ever try to stop you or tell you different. Embrace change. Embrace growth. Embrace diversity. But above all, embrace this incredibly powerful life you have been given. And the world will forever be better for it. =0]Related content
Comments: 8
are you encouraging paedophiles? rapists? muderers? abusers of every kind that exist in the over 6 billion of us on this planet? with this piece?
or do those type of people not count? and therefore contradict your own statement?
seems ill thought out that it should be directed for everyone don't you think?
you are unique, but it doesn't make what you are of any value, especially if what you are isn't worth the gift of life and in fact only deserves to have that life ended because of the individuality and actions you are encouraging
hypothetically - would you be prepared to accept responsability for the next Hitler that is born into this world? do you, implied by your statement, say that the next extermination of over 60 million people is ok?
it sounds like it
or would you be prepared to murder to prevent a greater tradgedy?
you may have a lot of support amongst those muderers, paedophiles, rapists and the like by your statement
or is that the kind of recognition you wanted?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I do genuinely appreciate your very well thought-out point. thank you for being honest enough to present this rationally. While I'll admit that I had not pursued this perspective, I feel I have a justifiable response. And again, I'll have to admit that I can only base my response on an experiential basis. When I originally penned this piece, I had just for the first time seen myself for who I really was. What I saw ... well, it hurt. My soul was not well. That was terrifying to me. I do believe that, if left in that state of mind, I would have eventually been capable of the very things you mentioned. When you are scared of who you are, especially if you begin to compare yourself negatively with your peers, it's simply abhorable what the mind can justify. But that was not the direction that my path took. Just when I needed it the most, There I was. And I was content with that. And all of that craziness, all of that feeling of never really belonging, all of isolation...was just gone. And, all of the people I have personally met who truly know who they are and are content with the world, are just simply not capable of those things any more.
So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that, though I believe you have a valid point, I also believe that if you base your arguement strictly on a person's individual worth, it simply comes down to one of two views. One, as quoted from the reply, "you are unique, but it doesn't make what you are of any value, especially if what you are isn't worth the gift of life and in fact only deserves to have that life ended because of the individuality and actions you are encouraging". Which is, unfortunately, the growing viewpoint of a large majority of our society. Two, that a.)those who find themselves lost in this f-ed up world, as I once was, have no sense of worth, and would and do, count themselves out of the game completely. And b.)if, as I have experienced thus far, a person discovers his/her own individual value, the motive to commit these hanous truths of our world...simply disappears. That is, ultimately, why I decided to actually post this piece. A genuinely hope that some random person is somehow able to find in themselves what I found in me. A bit cliche, I know. But, that's who I am.
I do find this conversation very stimulating and thought-provoking. I look forward to your response.
stopped by your page, and your homepage link. took the Supervillian Quiz. I'm the f-ing Joker. I think I'm okay with that. =0].
cheers.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is only superficially correct. It is what we are told everyday. "Be unique", they say, "Buy this!"
And the adverts just throw more and more stuff at you telling you that by buying it you make yourself more unique, when all you are actually doing is becoming another commercial clone.
Think about it, would you go out, I dunno, wearing your boxes on your head? No. Why not? Because you don't want to feel different. You want to be individual like they keep telling you to, but you don't want to be that individual.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
hehehe. I appreciate your response. Yeah, corporations have a tendancy to sell the illusion of individuality, as opposed to truly setting you apart. But, I feel like what you are saying is a reflection of the superficial, physical aspect. Am I reading that correctly? While I agree that extreme individuality is certainly not the norm, I feel that truly knowing yourself and being comfortable in your own skin is absolutely priceless. This li'l piece of prose is intended to illustrate that idea. These words have helped many a heart find comfort in times of being lost and alone. And I hope they continue to.
On a side note, as it just so happens, yes, I have gone out in public with boxers on my head...more than once. But I will concede that the person I was back then was just desperately screaming to be recognized as uniquely valuable, because on the inside, I felt absolutely worthless. I know better now. =0]
cheers.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I actually meant that it's correct at first glance. When you think about it, it stops being so right.
I think you ought to have included a little bit about truly knowing yourself that you say the piece is ment to help with. It would prevent people misunderstanding this piece.
And you've just pwnd my example! Damn it. Back to the drawing board...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ahhh, I see. Truly, thank you for your input. I'm gonna have to figure out how to re-word it. I've had it just like this for so long, ya know? Well, guess that's the creative process, right? Anyway, thanx again!
cheers.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
It's a clear cut, obvious point that no one is technically exactly the same, but you can't deny that there are people who are more like one person than they are the next. You have Guy A who is interested in X, Y, Z, eats T, makes money doing U, etc. Then you have Guy B who has all of those factors the same, yet slightly different personality compared to someone who has none of the variables. Point is that some people are more like other people than truly unique people.
Not everyone is equal. Not everyone is unique. People with paths more jagged and crunched have different lives and different perspectives. There's reasons for this that can be dug into. But I think it a large mistake to universally say that 'no one is like you'.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
i completely respect that. Your response is well thought out and articulated. At the same time, I unreservedly disagree. Guess we're just different. Thank you for taking time to respond! =0]
cheers.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0