I do have trouble with the idea of everyone being special. Strange, I don’t have a problem with the idea of every child being special, but I drawback from the thought of every adult being special
Maybe I should first understand what my definition of special is. I have definitely based my meaning of special on rare, which automatically makes anything that is abundant or plenty not special. That’s a problem
Instead of rare maybe I should think ‘unique’. Unique does not have false scarcity constraints. Every snowflake is unique
My initial thoughts on being special are external/survival/social based. When you’re special you get perks. People admire/treasure you (more attention). You have higher social status. People want your approval
Being special can also make you the target of envy, resentment, etc
What if I cut out all of those external perks? What would considering myself special mean internally?
“I am special.” Saying this first brings up feelings of shame and embarrassment. Thoughts like “No I’m not” and “Don’t be arrogant.” Is this type of response natural? It’s certainly typical in our society, I would imagine. But is it conditioned? “Don’t think too highly of yourself.” “Don’t get too big for your britches.”
It would be difficult to consider yourself special and at the same time not consider yourself worthy or valuable
Does special only apply to human beings? I have a hard time believing that
