There is nothing in nature that is precisely duplicated. No two trees, flowers, bugs or squirrels. NOTHING.
Yet most creatures are drawn to community, a fellowship of sorts. When we place extra value in a sub community we call it a brother or sisterhood. Knights to Ya-Yas. Friends and comrades. We battle shoulder to shoulder and fall alone.
In retrospect our “battles” are too often exercises in futility.
The greatest fight most of us have is in becoming better versions of ourselves. Overcoming the adversities we face from within.
Industrious by nature, we are given to invention and an innate drive to create. Creativity is a necessary component to visualize anything.
We are also competitive by nature and strive to “win”. From board games to board rooms, but in my personal rules for inner peace I strive to keep competition to myself. My only true competitor is myself. Can I do better? It’s okay to lose in competition with others. Of course winning against others is less disappointing than losing but letting myself be a sore loser is a not really a luxury but a mindset I cannot afford to entertain. It only leads to bitterness or reduced self esteem.
We had Pygmy goats. They are interestingly social yet brutal creatures that beat one another, sometimes incrementally to death.
I love animals yet many are what human society would deem cruel. They are in most cases a prime example of survival of the fittest.
Mankind is not much better. We care for the disadvantaged yet champion the gifted, the “winners”.
In times of old, only the legendary become hero’s whose names are etched in stone. Most of us are forgettable, ordinary and average.
We all (winners and losers alike)are but threads in a tapestry.
We are invaluable to those that love us as are those that we love to us. It takes a monster to kill without mercy or have no love.
As with any species, humans are capable of mindless violence, yet we value valor, compassion and charity.
Your essay is brilliant and inspiring. It insists the reader contemplate the person within and reflect while at the same time visualize the trajectory of the future self.
Beautifully put. We are original, and our hidden treasures within are also unique waiting for us to discover them by discovering our true Authentic Self.
Comparisons, if not done in the constructive ways you mentioned, leads to destruction of our own work through negativity and self-criticism.
Schools, Colleges and Workplaces push people to compare and contest with each other, but rarely offer any reliable support to overcome the 'sense of failure' we experience, when our performance is not the 'best'.
We should set our standards ourselves, and observe others only to learn and get inspired.
I am not a unique and special snowflake. Nothing of me is original. I am the combined product of everyone I have ever known. Perhaps the combination is unique, and for that worth celebrating, but it is not mine as much as owed to those who came before.
Comparison is the thief of joy, but gratitude is its well.
Gosh, I wish I could write like you. (Just kidding, great read.)
Aww... thank you, 42! Lol. Much appreciated. ✌️
This was a good read and true.
I think we all need reminded of how great we are because of our individuality and uniqueness.
I don’t know of too many people who don’t talk down to themselves. At least periodically.
Self love is an art and a necessity.
yes, 100% !
There is nothing in nature that is precisely duplicated. No two trees, flowers, bugs or squirrels. NOTHING.
Yet most creatures are drawn to community, a fellowship of sorts. When we place extra value in a sub community we call it a brother or sisterhood. Knights to Ya-Yas. Friends and comrades. We battle shoulder to shoulder and fall alone.
In retrospect our “battles” are too often exercises in futility.
The greatest fight most of us have is in becoming better versions of ourselves. Overcoming the adversities we face from within.
Industrious by nature, we are given to invention and an innate drive to create. Creativity is a necessary component to visualize anything.
We are also competitive by nature and strive to “win”. From board games to board rooms, but in my personal rules for inner peace I strive to keep competition to myself. My only true competitor is myself. Can I do better? It’s okay to lose in competition with others. Of course winning against others is less disappointing than losing but letting myself be a sore loser is a not really a luxury but a mindset I cannot afford to entertain. It only leads to bitterness or reduced self esteem.
We had Pygmy goats. They are interestingly social yet brutal creatures that beat one another, sometimes incrementally to death.
I love animals yet many are what human society would deem cruel. They are in most cases a prime example of survival of the fittest.
Mankind is not much better. We care for the disadvantaged yet champion the gifted, the “winners”.
In times of old, only the legendary become hero’s whose names are etched in stone. Most of us are forgettable, ordinary and average.
We all (winners and losers alike)are but threads in a tapestry.
We are invaluable to those that love us as are those that we love to us. It takes a monster to kill without mercy or have no love.
As with any species, humans are capable of mindless violence, yet we value valor, compassion and charity.
Your essay is brilliant and inspiring. It insists the reader contemplate the person within and reflect while at the same time visualize the trajectory of the future self.
Well done.
Couldn't have said it better myself. Your insight is quite a powerful one. Thank you!
Beautifully put. We are original, and our hidden treasures within are also unique waiting for us to discover them by discovering our true Authentic Self.
Thank you for your comment! You're absolutely right.
I feel so much better for reading this.
Fantastic! It made me very glad to read your comment. If my humble post touched you in any way, I accomplished my job. Cheers!
Comparisons, if not done in the constructive ways you mentioned, leads to destruction of our own work through negativity and self-criticism.
Schools, Colleges and Workplaces push people to compare and contest with each other, but rarely offer any reliable support to overcome the 'sense of failure' we experience, when our performance is not the 'best'.
We should set our standards ourselves, and observe others only to learn and get inspired.
Nothing else matters!
Good comment, thank you!
“We are energy—absolute, supreme energy”
The Bobby Kennedy video Meta doesn’t want you to see, narrated by Woody Harrelson.
https://x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1786816692611592223 (26K views)
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1787752278377824612 (22++M views)
I am not a unique and special snowflake. Nothing of me is original. I am the combined product of everyone I have ever known. Perhaps the combination is unique, and for that worth celebrating, but it is not mine as much as owed to those who came before.
Comparison is the thief of joy, but gratitude is its well.
Wisdom lived! Plus a bonus. Thank you René.
In an Indian garden
I could hear the bambu creak
high and hollow green trunk
kkrrr kkrrr kkrrr
the divine makes me drunk.