Jean Girgis · 2010-03-19
Imitation is following beliefs, words, actions, habits, appearances, or personal values without stopping to ask whether they are actually true.
We imitate a person who impressed us, someone successful, someone we have turned into an ideal. We spend our lives looking for the ideal so we can copy it — and when that person makes a mistake, we say, “That is not my problem; I did not invent it.”
The people we admire all start to look the same. They become one personality. And it becomes almost shameful to be different — because everyone is copying everyone.
Creation
Creation is the one thing that separates the human mind from the animal mind. In our ignorance, we have killed it through imitation.
We will always have similarities. But it is impossible for us to be identical. We may share things, but we do not have to do them the same way.
A point of view
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.”
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
That does not mean we all become one image — one personality. We are not all called to be Paul. God made people different. No two are exactly alike: a different fingerprint, different DNA, a different iris.
God created us different. Why do we insist on disobeying Him even in the smallest things?
The double life of the imitator
The imitator lives in a constant inner conflict between his real personality and the personality he wants to imitate. Sometimes it ends in a split self.
Who is this person you want to become? He is a creature like you.
Do not try to become anyone other than yourself. Your personality is not ugly, however many flaws it has. God can use every one of those flaws — and He can make them the most beautiful thing about you. “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are.”
You do not have to change yourself, because you simply will not succeed. Leave your personality to Him; He knows how to use it well.
A pencil will never think of becoming a blue or black pen.