DIFFERENCE IS WHAT MAKES US GREAT
We are all different. Let’s face it; every single one of us is different in a variety of ways, one way or another, a difference which represents itself in a complex myriad of variety. And all in different ways; see! With intricacies that show themselves in our characters and personalities, even in the slightest, smallest forms. We, the human race, are all so very different and special (and not in that offensive sort of way) in different ways and we should appreciate that fact and respect each other for it. We all have different backgrounds, tastes in clothing and music, views on politics or religion, different takes on things, different formats of thinking and self expression. And we obviously group together with friends according to significant interests or beliefs or fashion sense or music interests or sports or hobbies. But we are still all totally unique. And whilst it may sound silly to say
(or write!) it, difference, is something that should be celebrated, not ignored or tried to be beaten down and gotten rid of. We have different ways of formulating identity and our sense of belonging; different talents, different gifts, different hopes, different fears, different crosses to bear and life challenges, different everything really. If we all the same, then it would be utterly boring. In my opinion! It would be pretty bland and uninteresting. There would no creativity, no imagination, no chance to be ourselves because we’d all be the same. No chance for self creation, structuring of identity or the chance to be unique and original. And without it, be too happy. I think I’d be bored stiff! Narrow mindedness is not for the strong or those that seek improvement. We are all human and should all be equal, because we are, but in terms of what we can bring to the table, we are truly not the same! Difference is colourful and draws out the best in us. If you take art for example, there are different styles of doing things that painters use and paint so in different ways. No one painter is the same, just like people! Painting with energy and passion at a frenetic pace, or painting calmly with patience and intricate detail; painting on the streets or for art galleries, or painting with words by writing skilfully: they say a picture paints a thousand words anyway! It can be an in anything really. If for example, you take sport, Messi can’t and doesn’t play like Ronaldo, considered the two best players in the whole world right now. And the same for Ronaldo and any competition, like Bale and his ability to swerve the ball at a rate that is nigh impossible to read for a goalkeeper. Styles of free kick taking and ways to dummy and deceive the goalkeeper, or the uniqueness of the silky creativity and ball skill of Neymar which is not something you can easily replicate. These are just examples of multitudes of possibilities. And difference if developed and utilised, can help you carve out your own niche and marker in the world of similarities. If you stick to what you’re good at and you make yourself into what you are supposed to be with these talents and unique life set; you use what you have and you work incredibly hard and you become the person that you were born to be. That’s it in a nutshell really! But, obviously, it’s not that simple; you have to put it into practise! Which can lead to bullying, resistance, spite or ridicule, which can leave you feeling out of place, at a time which is especially difficult as a teenager because we are trying to work things out; work out who we are and what we identify as, and thus requires great levels of self determination and belief. But, it’s worth it in the end, trust me! Honest! And the metaphor and analogy remains the same; we’re not carbon copies of each other and we can’t simply be so, it’s not human! Difference is what makes us us. Difference is what makes us who we are. It defines us. It makes us, develops us, and betters us. Because it’s not important how much money you earn, what car you drive, your job or status in the world, it’s who you are that counts. Call me blind, stupid, whatever, call it what you want to call it, but in the game of life the only losers are those that cannot accept the greatness of humanity and its differences. A more grounded person with deep rooted understanding and salt of the earth perspective will do better than someone who cannot handle the pressures and of success, say. Celebrities are just as human as the rest of us; it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. There’s nothing wrong with difference, in fact, it’s something that should be praised and applauded and lauded. And what constitutes difference anyway? The word implies a notable change or effect, or to diverge; meaning to go along a different path, and cutting out your own path and journey in life than the mainstream is way more fun anyway! But each and every one of us is different from one another. We all have our own particular likes and dislikes, our favourites and our pet hates. Some of us stick out like a sore thumb even, wherever we go, but enjoy that!
But even if we might share things in common, none of us is truly a carbon copy of another. Difference should be celebrated, encouraged and taught! Definitely not ridiculed or mocked and hated. We approach life differently, learn differently, do things differently, see the world differently et cetera, et cetera! I’m not sure how much longer you can talk it over or how far you can extend a list that will become endless and infinite. We may find differences in attraction and be attracted to different people to us, but share characteristics like gung-ho confidence and an appreciation for life, I don’t know! So, when it comes down to it, it is not good to take away difference. It’s no easy, but if you are comfortable in your skin and comfortable with who you are, it makes life easier and you feel more at peace with the world. But not in some spiritual mystic way, just in appreciating life!! Don’t change for anyone. And if you pretend to be something you’re not, people will quickly cotton on to the fact and work it out. Be comfortable with who you are. Nope, it’s not easy, definitely not, not at all, not a jot, but it is better to be happy with who you are than something you’re not. Eventually you’ll grow up and , and people should be more , young people seem to be more with it and accepting than previously, so it’s a good sign for the future. And you don’t have to fit the mould anyway, especially if you weren’t moulded that way! Make it fit around you! We all have different talents, different skills, different ambitions, different purposes and agendas, different reasons for being where we are. So, we cannot go round judging or dismissing the truth. It is not a very interesting thing and would be a colourless experience. Never judge a book by its cover, if you do the chances are you’ll get it wrong, and you’ll end looking quite silly! It should not be bullied out of us or crushed or pushed out. Don’t bother being anyone else, you can’t change for anyone, you can only be who you were born to be, who you were made as, you can’t be anyone else, it’s impossible! So just stick to being you and make sure you do it with aplomb, just don’t go round being in your face about it and stepping on people’s toes! Who cares about the outcome, so long as you try your hardest? If you give anything, give it your best, nothing else matters; it is up to you to realise the qualities you have, to see the positives, not the negatives like the world may. You are great, just remember that! Plus, you may just be surprised! It sounds silly, but it is oh so true. So, in short: be different and love being so, I don’t think there’s any other way of putting it!
