Lizzie Borden was unique. Joseph Stalin was unique. The Wright brothers were unique. Jack the Ripper was unique. And so was Donald Trump, Judas Iscariot, Martin Luther King jr. and Mother Teresa.
For good or for ill, all of us are unique. But how is the quality of uniqueness a gift?
This affirmation hits on a common thread woven through most similar affirmations: that we are special merely because of some characteristic we possess. And we’re more than being special – we are a gift! I’m not sure when the change happened, but once upon a time, we used to celebrate actual accomplishments.
To be thought of as a gift to the world, people ought to do something. Merely existing is not doing something. I know this is old school thinking, but we really aren’t all that special to the rest of the world, no matter how many times we repeat this affirmation.
Also, you need to define exactly what your uniqueness is, and how it contributes to your “gift.” Are you uniquely qualified for some special work? Do you have some weird body part, perhaps unique in that you have six fingers on each hand? Or is your uniqueness your skin color, body shape, intellect, skill set, or personality quirks?
We are all unique in that no one has the exact same genetic structure as anyone else. But is the world any better for your unique genetic makeup?
We are also unique in that only you can live the life you live. The sum of all your experiences is a unique life. But does this in any way make you a gift to the world?
I have a better gift than any gift than any of us could ever give. It is so wonderful a gift that the gift of you pales in comparison.
The unique Creator sent His only unique Son to die for our sins. That was HIS gift to the world. You can receive this gift as well. What will you do with the most wonderful gift of all?