“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all the house.” Matthew 5:15

Every person has a light. Your light is that thing about you that makes you different from other people.  The key to success in life is to figure out what your light is and then to capitalize on it.

Most of us are reluctant to draw attention to what makes us different. For instance, many of us try to imitate the world’s view of beauty.  As a result, we downplay what makes our appearance different from the standard.  Or we pursue careers that the world looks highly upon, even if those careers don’t suit our personalities.

In a world in which there is a great deal of pressure to conform, the ironic truth is that the only way to be highly successful is to capitalize on what makes you different. Oprah is a perfect example of this.  There was no media personality before her who was anything like her.  She had a unique personality and appearance, and she used these attributes to become an enormous success.  What made her different is what made her amazing.

It is critical to identify what makes you unique, and then figure out how to use those qualities to your advantage.  Sadly, it has taken me many years to figure out that one simple rule.  Why?  Well, no one told me.  In fact, the feedback I’ve typically received has been that what makes me different is what makes me odd.

It took me a long time to realize that the odd parts of my personality – my love of books and classical music, my sensitivity, my strong feelings of empathy for animals and the underprivileged – are also the best parts of me. The years I spent trying to “fix” all of that by being more modern or tougher was a waste of time.  I am who I am.  And what I know is that God made me this way for a reason.  God has given you certain attributes for a certain reason too.  His hope is that you will use those attributes to serve the world in a way that no one else can.

The world loves conformity. It takes courage to say “no” to the world, and to say “yes” to God.  It takes courage to forget about trying to be like everyone else and to instead focus on making the most of your uniqueness.  It takes courage to stop hiding your light.

This isn’t just a choice about conforming or not conforming. This is a choice about whether to spend your life being average or being amazing.  Average people look like their peers.  They do the same types of activities as their friends.  They pursue jobs that “make sense.”  And they are easily accepted.  Amazing people go against the grain.  They follow their passions.  They march to the beat of their own drum.  And ultimately they achieve success that average people cannot.  And they shine.

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