WHEN you raise your hand and examine your fingers, it becomes immediately clear that no two prints are the same.
This uniqueness extends beyond your fingertips to your toes and even to identical twins.
Although twins share the same genetic blueprint, tiny mutations during development still create distinct differences, differences that are so precise that each twin possesses their own set of fingerprints.
This simple observation reveals a profound truth: human beings are built to be unique. Not similar, not comparable, unique.
As of early 2025, the world is home to more than eight billion people and yet not one of these individuals shares an identical fingerprint with another.
This remarkable fact mirrors the broader reality of human life. Each person walks through the world with their own blend of dreams, habits, strengths, weaknesses, fears and aspirations.
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Even when people face the same event, their responses and outcomes differ drastically, shaped by their personalities, circumstances and inner resilience.
History offers numerous examples that demonstrate how the same event can affect individuals in different ways. Consider World War I. It was a catastrophic conflict that claimed millions of lives, shattered families and reshaped nations. For many, it brought unimaginable pain and loss.
Yet, the same war, tragic as it was opened unexpected doors. As men went off to battle, women stepped into roles previously closed to them, entering factories, offices and public spaces.
Their contributions ignited a transformation that led to increased rights, including the right to vote. A devastating event became, for some, the gateway to long-overdue recognition and empowerment.
Another example is the global financial crisis of 2008. While countless individuals lost homes, jobs, and security, the crisis also became a catalyst for innovation. Out of the instability emerged a new wave of financial technology companies that sought to democratise banking, create secure digital payment systems and solve the very problems the crisis exposed. Entrepreneurs who could see opportunity within chaos built entire industries from the ashes of economic failure. This demonstrates yet again that even in hardship, outcomes are not uniform; one person may collapse under pressure while another discovers purpose.
Because no two people are shaped, built or inspired in the same way, the mentality of following the crowd becomes dangerous. When we silence our own voice to adopt someone else’s perspective, we risk limiting our potential and losing sight of our assignment. Growth requires authenticity. Success demands self-awareness. It is not enough to possess talent; talent must be understood, developed and directed with intention. To do that, one must know oneself deeply, that is your strengths, flaws, desires, patterns and fears.
This personal study is the foundation of purpose. Without it, we drift. With it, we rise. If you don’t rise to your assignment, the world will never experience the gift only you can give.
Myles Munroe once said, “The graveyard is the richest place on the surface of the earth because there you will see the books that were not published, ideas that were not harnessed, songs that were not sung and drama pieces that were never acted.”
His words are a sobering reminder of what happens when people ignore their individuality, silence their calling or allow fear and conformity to bury their dreams.
In the end, every person is born with a purpose that cannot be duplicated. Life offers each of us a unique assignment — one shaped by our experiences, our strengths, and the meaning woven into our existence. The choice is ours: we can embrace our uniqueness and pursue that assignment with courage or we can fade into the background, blending into a crowd that never fully reflects who they were meant to be.