Did you know that humans are genetically 99.9% identical? Well, it’s true! 7.6 billion people inhabit this world. Being one individual in this pool of many seems like we wouldn’t be that special. A human is pretty much just a human. Right?
Wrong! Look at the many layers of uniqueness that make up a human. We are defined by the various presentations or absence of such as…
hair color
political views
eyes
disposition
age
origin of birth
occupation
skin color
health
location
biological sex
gender identity
expressiveness
education
sexual preference
status
personality
style
religious belief
There are even more details to describe who we are as individuals. This short list only mentions the distinct feature we can see or might openly share with one another. Further identifying each characteristic makes each of us even more incredibly dissimilar.
Then add to that a lifetime of experiences which uniquely influence and potentially change our views and perspectives. It is unfathomable how many different human beings there have been, are currently and will be. Not one like any other, ever.
Don’t these facts alone make us supremely rare and our existence unprecedented?
I think so.
And for that, we should all walk a little taller and prouder.
“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.”
Dalai Lama
I’ve frequently pondered things outside my own thought process because chronic thinking is what I do. To the point of exhaustion, at times. I don’t advise it, but this is how I’m built. Still learning to take the good with the bad.
Every moment I make a conscious contribution to this life, I’ll generally see an immediate outcome. But what’s next in the lives I have happened to touch? What steps do those people then take because of what I set in motion? Does it even matter or should I care, especially when quite possibly I don’t even know who I’ve affected?
We can’t predict the future but when we become aware how we affected others, would we stop to think the next time we attempted to take action? It seems quite logical that we could take a moment to seriously think through all possible outcomes or realistic assumptions before we make decisions affecting our future, and possibly those of others. All actions have consequences and ramifications. Honestly spoken though, I’m not so sure we would, at least not yet consistently. This explains some rather poor outcomes we see for people.
We all take steps in our lives that we deem necessary. Everyone one of us. Situations arise, and they require action. I don’t think any of us would disagree. A percentage of those people are likely to just react emotionally, not thinking at all. These would be the people who wouldn’t care one bit about what happens in the timelines of others. Frankly, they are more invested in their own hysteria and drama than others, or reality for that matter.
The group of people I’m talking about are those who genuinely and critically decide to make choices in their best interest. Do they generally take it one step further to see what the effect would be for others? Again, I’ll say, my opinion is no.
I think many of us are empathetic and also open-minded; I just don’t think we apply those traits very often when it comes to things involving us and our well-being. Our own best interest is at stake, that’s the point! When we are challenged to protect ourselves or make decisions affecting us, WE are the only ones we worry about! Rationally, biologically, emotionally – this makes sense. All you have to do is look around our world. Crises’ and wars that exist with no relief in sight are clues of our selfishness everywhere. But even in the face of what life looks like right now, I think it’s changing.
Looking at our history, seeing how life has progressed, there seem to be two steps forward, sometimes three steps back followed by six steps forward action. That is positive. So, I’m hopeful.
As we’ve evolved over time, it’s become evident that we are becoming more and more aware how we’re all connected to each other. We still have a long way to go before we become the kindest humans, but there is evidence that we are contemplating how we interact with each other in a less ego-driven way. I like that.
I just hope for my kid’s sake and all others who live beyond me that people in their lifetimes will help to improve all lives living on this blue ball.
We are all just one long line of succession to the next life.
Every bit of who you are was in the generations before and will be in every subsequent one. That is if you choose to grant your DNA a future.
But will subsequent generations be aware of your presence? Do you want to defiantly mark your name in history?
There is the question for the ages!
Should you desire an impact on not only your downline but also be known in the public sphere, it will require a willingness to plant yourself in front of your world-wide audience. Look at the gazillions of people who didn’t and are forgotten to history. We are walking on the essences of those who didn’t want to be known but maybe, just possibly, didn’t know how to carve out a name for themselves worthy of being remembered.
Believing in yourself is the first step. When you can share your unique self, hopefully, you will begin to leave a memorable impact in the minds of those you wish to capture. It’s not a guarantee. But doing so and having Lady Luck throw some opportune moments your way, should gain valuable attention and momentum for you.
So what makes your life grand and memorable? Surely you’ll be remembered by your close friends and family as being something worthy of keeping in their memories. Though what do you think you would need to do now, in this your one life, to hold the attention of the entire current population and future generations? Those who garner significance in history always have something rather spectacular and unique to contribute. I’d like to call it their concentrated humanity which exploded beyond the inner circles of their lives. Either they provided something of value, or they were notoriously bad.
Their presence on this earth changed the course of history, made someone famous or stood out as something so incredible as to warrant never being forgotten – good or bad. Their genuine, authentic selves believed in themselves and more importantly, what they brought to the table of life. They went about the task of pursuing their goals/dreams, without hesitation, going down whatever avenue they needed to make their presence known.
It takes dedication, perseverance, desire, support in all the right places, persistent and consistent effort, education, luck, chutzpah, and so much more! But most of all it takes your head in the game and knowing what you want.
Start there, and let’s see if you can become immortal.
