We are each of us born unique – we have never been before and we will never be again.

Because of this, we have a responsibility to embrace our uniqueness and nourish it, so that we can grow and offer something different to the world.

It is very easy to conform to what others expect of us – but that way lies certain unhappiness and spiritual stagnation.

Why would we want to live a life dictated by others, to make their mistakes or succeed only by following their path or direction?

The greatest achievement in life is to live your own life and make it a success – in spite (or because) of what others may try to tell you.

Having your own vision of success, underpinned by your own unique values and hard won over many years of sticking to your principles, not being discouraged by those who would seek to bring you down, not giving up despite the difficulties, pushing on and finally looking back with satisfaction at the winding, wild path that lies behind you – this is true satisfaction in life.

When others judge us harshly for being ourselves it reveals more about the kind of person they are than it does about us.

Don’t be put off or swayed by the poor opinion of those who are blindly following someone else’s path or conforming blandly to what ‘society’ expects of them.

They will wake up one day in a cold sweat and realise that they have wasted their opportunity to add something new to the world or walk a different path.

Don’t be that person who wakes up in 20 years time and wishes they had not blindly followed the direction or advice of others on how to live life.

It is your life, your chance to shine in the world – you will never be again, so you simply must do your best to be the unique and special person that you were born to be.

Whatever it is that makes you proud to be you, do more of it. Whatever sets you apart from those around you – embrace and nourish it.

Society wants everyone to be the same, because then we would be easy to manage or control. But who among us would want to live in a world where there are 7 billion others just like us?

Live your own life in your own way and allow others to do the same – if everyone had this attitude the world would be a truly beautiful place in which to live.