Snowflakes, Fingerprints & Eyeballs! part 2

Today is November 20, 2014...23 days from my 50th birthday on December 12th.      "You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost." Martha Graham     Before I finish the rest of that story, let me introduce you to a couple of people.   That's me.  Second row on the left.  I loved school.  The learning, recess...yes, school lunches - even mystery meat Fridays!   As I look at this kid and reintroduce myself to him, I can see he is precocious, intelligent, sensitive, outgoing and a natural leader in the classroom and on the playground.  A casual glance may only show a super cute kid, but when I go deeper...I see it.   The perspective of time and experience makes me see this kid in a whole new light.  He is the seed of me.  He is the shadow of what I am today.  I can see him, but I can't touch him...but I know he is there.  He is me...and I am he.   Memories are the way I get connected to him.  Time has dulled some of that, but with deep introspection...I make the connection.   I know that every good and bad decision, every joyful and painful moment, every idea and word, and every success and failure is tied to this kid.  Getting to know him informs why I do what I do.  Staying in touch with him reminds me why I am the way that I am.   I like this kid and he likes me, and it feels good.   The second person I want to introduce you to?  Look in the mirror.  Better yet, grab that photo album that always makes you cringe and laugh and pull out your first grade picture.    What would you tell me about that kid?  What characteristics, attributes and qualities would best describe that kid?   Most importantly, do you love what that kid has become?    Yes, tough question but it has everything to do with self-image.  That kid is your "self" - your true self.  Are you made in his image or did you veer off the path of the true you to meet some distorted version of you that you felt would get a better life reception?  One thing that I can tell you without knowing you...you are unique.  People deviate from their true selves when they go for uniformity rather than individuality...and the uniform does not fit!     "The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique." Walt Disney   You are an individual that has never been here before and the likes of you will never come this way again.  Matters not that 108 Billion people have come and most of them gone.  They were one of a kind...and so are you!   Yes, you may be an "identical" twin.  Still separate and distinct.  Think you have a Doppelganger.  Not even close.   Sure, I used to get paid to imitate Michael Jackson.  Cheap imitation.   What I can tell you is that no one can imitate me...or you.  A true priceless original and the mold was broken when you were born.  That kid in the picture...he is my mold.  He is my design.  This kid holds the key to me - my past, my present and my future.  So does yours.   If you have veered away from the kid in you that brings joy, passion and purpose to life, get reacquainted.  They are still in there and can provide a path back to a positive self-image and wholeness.    Give thanks that the kid in you has never given up on you.  Give thanks for them and that they are as special and as unique as   Snowflakes, fingerprints...and Eyeballs!   Until tomorrow...