How many times do you realize that you are unique. Stop following the crowd. Be uniquely you.
Johnny Depp stars in a heart-warming movie called ‘Benny & Joon’. He plays Sam, an absolutely gifted and unique character, who takes up residence with Benny and Benny’s mentally challenged sister, Joon. I particularly recall a scene in the movie where Sam entertains Benny, Joon and a crowd that gathers in the park with his Buster Keaton act with a hat and cane. When Joon asks Sam, “Did you have to go to school for that?” He answers, “No, I was thrown out of school for that!”
Sam didn’t fit in to what was ‘normal’ but he was absolutely comfortable in his own skin.
Are you comfortable in your own skin?
Be Uniquely You
You have to be unique and different to shine in your own way. ~ Lady Gaga
What makes you unique?
Mary Jaksch of Goodlife Zen wrote a post called 35 Things That Make You Special. It’s a pretty exhaustive list. But you can keep adding to that and listing out all your unique qualities.
Most of all – just be you.
Here are some inspiring quotes that encourage you to be uniquely you:
“There is nothing to practise. To know yourself, be yourself. To be yourself, stop imagining yourself to be this or that. Just be. Let your true nature emerge. Don’t disturb your mind with seeking” ~ Nisargadatta Maharaj
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ~ Oscar Wilde
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.” ~ Judy Garland
“Be yourself- not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
“The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don’t let them put you in that position.” ~ Leo Buscaglia
I let Dr Suess have the last word:
“You are you. Now, isn’t that pleasant?”

Have always loved that OW line 🙂
Some thought-provoking words there by author authors too, especially Emerson and Thoreau. Thanks for sharing these, Corinne.
Beloo Mehra recently posted..V is for View, Indian View of Life
I’m a huge Oscar Wilde fan, Beloo! Glad you liked the other quotes too!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Value Decisions
It’s hard to be yourself, no? Especially when you have painted yourself into a corner – and like all artists, you reinvent yourself. You’ll likely lose people who thought they knew you; when really you’re just refining what you are. I totally get this more than you know!
Cristina recently posted..Feature Friday: Are you Kidding Me?! and Clara Seeks Clarity
I loved that movie. 🙂 I’m well past my mid-40s and I’m STILL figuring out who I am! 😉
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“Be yourself- not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
These words amuse me because it shows the amount of convoluted thinking that goes into not being yourself.
These words sadden me because I see so many persons putting in so much effort day in and day out to be “what they think somebody else’s idea of themselves should be” when they can effortlessly be themselves.
Lovely post!!
Proactive Indian recently posted..Win – Win (An unbelievable, but true story!)
In todays herd culture really being unique is soo tough..
Richa Singh recently posted..Weight and Watch
I adore that movie! And, these quotes, especially the last one, are so good!
Rita recently posted..Best Australian Blogs 2014
That Wilde quote is one I try to live by. Being me is satisfying and if people are unable to accept me for who I am, I don’t worry my head over it. I haven’t heard of this movie. Must check it out sometime.
As we grow up, we sometimes forget to be ourselves. Experience is a great teacher. And slowly, we learn. Yes, today I am comfortable in my own skin. No place I’d rather be 🙂
Unique post! 😀
Vidya Sury recently posted..Xeroxing Smiles
I haven’t watched the movie! I should! 🙂
Sounds very interesting…
I completely agree with being unique and myself. I am me! 😀
and Dr, Suess did have the last word abt it all – its very pleasant to be exactly me! 🙂
Pixie recently posted..The Stalker – conclusion
thats a lesson am definetely learning…
Meena Menon recently posted..An Yummilicious Birthday 🙂
Oh that’s a tough one. Sometimes we ourselves do not remember who we really are and what we really want so busy are we catering to all those people who expect us to be a certain way. Then even when we do find out it’s bit easy being ourselves. Huge lesson this is, Corinne.
Being uniquely one-self is like standing out alone from the pack of imitators. But it is worth it.
That was a wonderful collection of quotes, Corinne! Thanks for sharing!
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