Your Power Is In Your Uniqueness
By Steve Gahagen
In the photo above, my granddaughter, Ruthy, is standing next to Karl-Anthony Towns, formerly of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Her wingspan has a long way to go—and she barely reaches his knees. The contrast is hilarious. There’s simply no way she could “measure up” to him. And that’s exactly the point.
This funny little moment reveals something deeper. It speaks to a temptation many of us face: the pressure to measure ourselves against others.
We live in a culture where comparison is constant. Social media makes it easy to stack our lives up against curated versions of everyone else’s— 24 hours a day. Whether it’s success, beauty, parenting, careers, or even wing spans, there’s always someone who appears to have more.
But our genius lies not in sameness—but in uniqueness.
The magnetic pull to conform is strong. Yet, if we give in, we risk losing what makes us most powerful: our weirdness (and I mean that in the best way possible). Our quirks, passions, imperfections, and different wiring—that’s where the magic is.
Take Steven Spielberg. He had undiagnosed dyslexia and struggled in school. His parents divorced during his teen years. He had difficulty completing tasks he didn’t enjoy. But then, his mom gave him a camera and the freedom to follow what lit him up. The result? Not just personal success—but impact that has shaped generations.
Ruthy may never match Karl-Anthony Towns in height. But that was never the goal. Her story, her strengths, her difference—that’s where the potential is.
Don’t spend your life trying to measure up to someone else’s story.
Write your own.
Questions to consider
How are you unique? What value do you bring to those around you?
What are positive hot buttons in your life (things you’re passionate about)?
If you could do anything to make a difference in the world, what would you love to do? Why not do it?