You are rare, not special

You are not special.\nI am not special; we are not special. There is not a privileged person among us. \nI think that on one level, I have stated nothing new. Our biological similarities are pretty much well-worn territory. Comedic philosopher Bill Hicks perhaps made the best example of the insignificance of our humble beginnings when he noted, "I have wiped civilizations off of my chest with an old gym sock." \nYet, I am not referring to the cliché fact that if you prick us, we all bleed. No, not at all.\nWhat I find as a new source of human oneness is the exact facet of our lives by which we define our uniqueness: Our stories and our feelings.\nThey say that every person is an individual with emotions and reactions to daily life unlike any other. And this I find to be very true. \nBut when everyone is particular and special, where's the importance in being one-of-a-kind?\nThat's why snowflakes aren't collectors items. When everyone is rare, being an individual loses its market value.\nThis is not to be taken negatively, though. It is no reason to cease to aspire for singularity amongst the masses. \nTry to be you, but take it easy when I'm being me at the same time. How many times has a suggestion or clash of thoughts led to the phrase, "You couldn't possibly understand." It is perhaps the most repugnant of human utterances of the modern era. \nYes, we can understand. Two people don't have to live the exact same life dramas to comprehend disappointment or pain.\nThe new age exercises and rabble we preach to our kids about how it's "okay to feel certain ways" has developed a moral arrogance in almost every individual I know, myself included. Suddenly, disagreements and differences of opinion are the mortar shells of the four room co-op.\nThe newest generation of adults and children may have better health. They may live longer and have the technology to fight countless diseases and environmental threats. But when an emotional mosquito comes flying in, we're down for the count.\nJust once, I'd like to witness a heated argument and have there be a victor. Isn't that how it used to be? What's wrong with winners and losers? They've existed for centuries.\nNot in today's America, where every child is supposed to win and every idea is regarded as valid. After all, who is anybody to tell somebody else that they are wrong?\nInstead, when two verbal combatants take the stage, and one is threatened by a forceful notion, the defense springs into action. Suddenly, the argument disappears and the fight reverts into whether or not someone's particular and special desires, wishes, whims and proclivities can be challenged in the first place. "I deserve to have an opinion."\nYou're right. And sometimes it's a bad one. \nRemember, the Boston Strangler had his opinions too.\nIf one doesn't like this idea, go ahead and tell me. We'll discuss it. It may get heavy, but hopefully something will emerge or at least someone will be beaten into submission.\nBut if I'm wrong? What if my approach to differences is archaic and shouldn't be used in today's society? Well, I guess you're out of luck.\n"Because every little boy and girl is special. You couldn't possibly understand, and I deserve to have an opinion"