It's been unbelievable nice weather the last week or so here in NYC. But just two weeks ago, the morning/day weather was characterized from mild dampness, to light drizzle and shower, but never an all-out down pour (at least none that I was caught in).
It was under these conditions (or more correctly, as a result of these conditions) that I made some observations that shed some light for me about "being unique".
It is an 8 minute walk from my apartment to the train station...very specific, I know, but I can be this, "very specific", sometimes. I not only know how long it takes me to make the short walk, but know that it'll take 5 minutes to jog (at a reasonable pace and not be completely out of breath by the time I get to the station) and 3 minutes for an all-out dash (if it's absolutely critical that I catch a specific train). The kicker, is that I did this test (of run, jug and dash), all back-to-back-to-back and upon seeing my apartment for the first time over a year ago and in consideration of it being my next home! What can I say, I'm a little nuts :).
But I digress!
The 8 minute walk in the mornings on the way to work is often times, when I am at my clearest...as I'm still riding high from my version of the morning jolt (a hot shower) and the clean & tree-scented air that comes with the luxury of living on a tree-lined boulevard street. So during this said week of dampness and light showers, the trees offered some level of protection - the moisture/rain still hit the ground though...well, everywhere but one spot!
One Spot...on an entire stretch of this particular street!
Of course, being the kind of person that seeks answers, this was intriguing to me. I looked up to the trees to ascertain the conditions that would help shed light on my observation. Nothing was caught in the tree that would block the passage of the rain drops, instead there was an intricate web of tree branches and leaves that didn't look especially different than any network of tree branches and leaves the entire stretch of the street...yet the overlapping layers were organized just so that they formed an obstacle to the light rain drops.
And, this was when the "aha" moment hit - that being unique sometimes has absolutely nothing to do with BEING unique! The uniqueness did not necessarily rest in the effect (the lone dry spot on this street) but instead in the cause (the intricate web of connections in the tree above this lone spot).
Sometimes, life just happens to make all the right pieces fit in a manner that accentuates individuals and their abilities! The smart and wise of these lucky group will be sure to recognize this fact and keep humility as their close ally!!!
- Ayo Yusuf