Being an Original in a Copycat World Is Easier Than You Think

Today, give some thought to what an amazing thing it is to have been given the gift of life with which to be a unique and beautiful expression of the divine. Don't dishonor the gift by trying to be like anyone else.
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"Originality consists in trying to be like everybody else--and failing." -- Raymond Radiate

Recently, I read about an experiment involving the first successful attempt to clone a cat. The researchers were somewhat baffled by the fact that the original cat, Rainbow, is a typical calico with very distinct markings, and the clone, Cc, looks totally different in color and patterns. Further, Rainbow has a large chunky body, whereas Cc is thin and sleek. But most interesting of all is that Rainbow's personality is very reserved and introverted, while Cc is overtly curious and playful. By the way, these comparisons were made after Cc was fully grown. The point of all this is that regardless of how hard the scientists tried, they failed miserably at recreating the exact same cat.

Scientists may be able to extract DNA from anything that has a material density or body, and while they may be able to manipulate it in a manner that serves the needs of the world in many wonderful ways, they will never be able to re-create the essence, character and life force that dwells at the center of and animates all living things. While this may be disappointing news for pet owners who understandably want to recreate their favorite pet, it confirms the fact that God, in Its infinite wisdom and creative nature, is incapable of being redundant. The fact is that even if scientists could clone a physical human body that would be identical to the original, the soul self that dwells within the body would have to be unique and different, and the personality and character tendencies would have to reflect those differences. As I understand the divine intent of God, Its desire is to express and experience Itself through and as Its creation. To create any two forms of expression that are exactly the same would be redundant and counterproductive to the evolutionary, upward spiraling motion that propels all life. This is good information to keep in mind the next time we catch ourselves trying to emulate, impersonate or recreate ourselves in someone else's image, isn't it?

The point of my message this: Don't waste your time trying to be a "copycat." Be yourself. Be who you have come to be and let go of the idea that any other person is better equipped than you to give form and expression to God's life. You have been chosen by the infinite to be you! You are unique and one-of-a-kind whether you like it or not, and it is actually dishonoring the gift of life to try to clone yourself after another. Do you know what the primary difference is between you and me and between Rainbow and Cc? I doubt that they look at each other and then judge themselves as being less than purrrrrfect just the way they are. However, we tend to do that, don't we?

Today, give some thought to what an amazing thing it is to have been given the gift of life with which to be a unique and beautiful expression of the divine. Don't dishonor the gift by trying to be like anyone else. You aren't and never can be. That's the real beauty of it... and the real gift.

Note: This writing is an excerpt from my book, The Art of Being -- 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life. Used with permission of the publisher.

For more by Dennis Merritt Jones, click here.

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For more on spirit, click here.

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