Are you a SNOWFLAKE?
Some time ago I learned a profound concept called the “snowflake” principle.
“Snowflake” has become a derogatory term in recent years—at least when used in political discussions. Yet, we are all snowflakes. Here’s why.
Above 32 degrees, one snowflake looks pretty much the same as the rest. Together, they form a great big puddle. Yet, below 32 degrees, every snowflake is unique, stunning, and beautiful.
That’s the way it works for people, too. There are principles and laws of the universe that work the same everywhere and for everyone. Gravity is a good example. Gravity works the same for you and for me. You can’t change that.
Sadly, gravity can look very different from one person to another. When Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks a basketball, he ascends well above the 10’ basketball rim. When I attempt a dunk—the same rim and same height—I remain embarrassingly close to the court. Is that fair?
Another example. Two different people could be on the exact same diet and exercise plan. Yet, due to age, gender, genetics, and a wide variety of circumstances, the two different people could have different results on different timelines.
The practices I share (in my book and in this newsletter) are based on time-tested principles that have worked for me and for many others. I believe they will work for you, too—just like gravity. That’s the part above 32 degrees.
At the same time, your experience and mine might end up looking and feeling very different. In fact, you may avoid many of my stumbles and fumbles and make faster progress than I did!
In his book Love + Work, author and researcher Marcus Buckingham emphasizes our unique individuality. We each possess a different combination of strengths, preferences, emotions, attractions, dispositions, and more.
Buckingham points out that you and I each have one hundred billion neurons in our brains. And every one of those neurons makes at least a thousand connections with other neurons. If you do the math, you end up with one hundred trillion connections in your brain. That’s more neuron connections than five thousand Milky Way galaxies!
Psychologists, researchers, and educational experts have identified various types of intelligence, learning styles, personality types, strengths, backgrounds, experiences, and influences. The range of possibilities and differences among people is nearly infinite!
You’ll find many one-size-fits-all approaches and inflated promises on bookshelves, online, and on social media. You might have already learned this the hard way. I did.
But because of our complex differences, there’s no such thing as a cookie-cutter recipe for burnout, brokenness, or health battles.
You’re a snowflake—just like I am.
That’s why I want you to take some time this week and reflect:
1 - What are the ways that you’re just like me?
This might include the impact your beliefs have on your attitude, outlook and actions. I could include simple things like your need for emotional and physical health like relationships, sleep, a healthy diet, and exercise. It also includes the ability you have to make choices and take action—even when you feel like you’re stuck.
2 - What are the ways you are uniquely different from everyone else?
What are your strengths, learning styles, personality types, experiences, emotions, influences, goals—all of the things that make you uniquely YOU and honor the way God made you different than everyone else?
Here’s the part I love most about the snowflake analogy.
Right now, there are people who need things ONLY YOU can offer.
They need your unique combination of talent, ideas, creativity, compassion, resolve, and your solutions. They need your faith and your love.
That’s why YOUR journey is unique, important, and beautiful. And that’s why I want to help you LIVE AGAIN!
Please continue to hug the cactus and give these ideas genuine thought and prayer.
I believe in you. I’m grateful for you. And I’m cheering for you every step of the way.
Until next time, please remember that it’s never too late to make a difference.
John Alan
P.S. In case you missed it, take time to check out this podcast with Kelly Parbs. I was Kelly’s guest on her company’s podcast: On Topic with Empathia. Kelly is a critical incident responder. That means she does counseling for survivors of crisis or traumatic events. She’s absolutely amazing, and I was honored to be a guest and have the opportunity to unpack my LIVE AGAIN! recovery journey. This is part one. It’s a 39-minute listen. Part two comes out in a week or two. Here’s a link to the podcast.
