Have you ever pondered how unique creation truly is? Consider the spider web. No two of them are ever the same; there are no two snowflakes ever alike either. Each leaf on a tree is just a tad bit different than its neighbor; every mountain range is shaped so special that you can only imagine the pressures from within the earth must have been great. Creation is utterly filled with examples of uniqueness!

We can easily look around us to see the diversity in nature, and yet, for some strange reason, we humans don’t understand that each of us is special and unique too. The fact is, we all have varied backgrounds and experiences–where and when we were born and grew up, how we were raised, trials, challenges, successes we’ve encountered–and have developed our values and our own unique ways of doing things. Every human being ever created is an individual, unique in purpose and no two are ever exactly alike.

So how is it that we so easily fall into the habit of comparing ourselves with others? Whether we realize it or not, most of us constantly compare ourselves to another’s income, position, knowledge, talents, abilities, growth, beauty, character, or some other quality. But we are unique! We shouldn’t be comparing ourselves with others at all! The only comparing that should be happening is within ourselves–where we are in our personal and professional growth compared to where we were yesterday or last year. Comparing ourselves with others only leads to being judgmental and critical, either of ourselves or of others, and in the long run can be very unhealthy for us and our relationships.

You and I can choose to refrain from the unhealthy habit of comparing ourselves to others. We can choose to be the unique individuals that we are made to be, and we can and should honor and respect the uniqueness of others. I encourage you today, to reaffirm your own uniqueness and that of others. Remind yourself that you are somebody; you are special and have been made for a unique purpose that can only be fulfilled as long as you are not trying to be like somebody else. And remember that every other person is also a special somebody with a unique purpose–and they don’t have to be just like you.

If you feel as though you have been caught up in making comparisons that have hindered you in fulfilling your destiny in life, you may want to consider that you have been looking in the wrong direction. Instead of watching others to see how well they are (or are not) doing, simply shift and turn your perspective and point of view back to your own life. If you are on your way to meeting the standards that you have established for yourself, then be free to be uniquely yourself. Go a step further and allow others to be the unique individuals they are, and in doing so you will be honoring the uniqueness of us all!