BY BRO, AUGUSTINE EZIKE
The term uniqueness is all-encompassing with individually. It accounts for why we look the egands to the totality of who we are way we do, the components we are made of why we act the way we do and so much more. This is equally one of the simplest phenomena Hence, it serves as a great source of yet to difficult to understand by so many. controversy and misunderstanding amongst occasional by the difficulty encountered by people. It is in the light of such confusion many in trying to understand why individuals should behave contrary to their expectations of them that I think this topic ‘Uniqueness’ is
worth giving a consideration.
However, that one is unique simply means that such a one is “different from others in a special and worthy of note” (Encarta way that makes somebody or something Dictionary 2009). In other words, it means each individual is the only one of a kind. We are all worthy of note in our individual specificities. In line with the foregoing so far, we deserve each other’s respect both as a matter of necessity and as a right thing to be done. But let me quickly point out that this is where the greatest problem lies. I say so because this is where the selfishness of men comes to bare ie treating others the way one would want to be treated by them. Many are so eager and agile to demand and expect respect from others whereas, to give such to people is almost a taboo to them. Such people are quick to forget the biblical injunction made easier to remember in the song of the African Reggae legend, Lucky Dube of the blessed memory and it goes thus; ‘blessed is the hand that giveth than the one that taketh’ (Acts 20:35). It is this singular attitude that breeds controversy in the society today. People think they deserve one thing or the other including respect more than others. (Rm.12:3-8)
Moreover, it is very easy for one to recognize that others are fair in complexion and one is dark in complexion, that others are short and one is tall, others are ugly and one is handsome or beautiful, etc. but, it is a near-impossible feat to achieve when it comes to realizing that one is unique just as the others are. Otherwise, how can you explain the fact that a man carries out an action and deems it fantastic, honorable, and timely, yet to another man, that same action appears absurd and awkward? It is simply a case of ‘different strokes for different folks What makes one happy might end up being the source of greatest sorrow to another and as such buttresses the great adage that says ‘one man’s meet is another man’s poison. Whatever a man does is pleasing and perfect in his own sight but the real truth about us can only be sieved from the various compliments and complaints we receive from people about us and not necessarily the way we view ourselves. Take it or leave it, it is not everything we think good about ourselves that in really good. That we make so much effort to paint our actions nice and wonderful before people does not guarantee their acceptability to all, (Prov.18:16). An Irish poet cum playwright, Oscar Wilde once said and 1 quote: “A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it”. After all, no matter how stupid an idea is, there must be propaganda of it. More often than not we expect people or others to understand us and the reason behind our actions, yet, we spare little or no time in trying to understand others and their reasons for doing what they might have done.
Furthermore, there is no how we can expect others to see things through our own eyes and get satisfaction result because no two individuals are the same no matter how alike they might look. Scientifically, for instance, it has been proven that there are no identical fingerprints, not even for identical twins, In other words, there are no two individuals with the same fingerprints in the whole wide world. That alone shows that we quite differ from each other and so our actions, reasoning judgment etc. It is only the relative understanding we have that our neighbors, friends, etc can never become us that keeps us together and moving With that knowledge in mind, it becomes a little bit easier for one to excuse one’s neighbors) or friend(s) when offended just as one would wish to be excused when one offends others. One must not condemn others or their actions simply because they do not operate according to one’s approved norms and standards. After all, even what one considers right might be. serious wrong or error in others’ opinion. There must be a balance between what we give to others and what we expect from others concerning our attitude, judgment and condemnation, tolerance etc. (Mtt.7:2)
Summarily, we should not bask in the euphoria of the fact that we are unique and become numb to our neighbour’s feelings. It is therefore very necessary and important that before we do anything, we should first ask ourselves these two important questions:
- What feeling would my action elicit in my neighbor?
- If I were to be in my neighbor’s shoes would such an action augur well with me?
The answer should best be given by us to ourselves in our peculiar situations But with these questions in mind, we cannot but look for a common front to build a community where love, peace, tolerance, and harmony will reign supreme. To achieve these, rather than condemn everything in our neighbor, let us strive to offer corrective advice and suggestions that flow from the depth of brotherly love, (Lk.6:38). Only genuine care for others can guarantee our peaceful co-existence bearing in mind that we are all uniquely created by the Almighty God. You cannot become me just as I cannot become you and so, rather than compete amongst ourselves we should complement one another for two good heads they say, are better than one. Concluding with the words of a Scottish novelist, essayist, and poet. Robert Louis Stevenson, I say unto you. “Every man has a sane spot somewhere” so, cherish that sane and positive spot in one another rather than stifle it and all shall be well with us. -Love thy neighbor as God loves you-
