Article April 22, 1972 Issue

Be Yourself

MARK EDWARD CLAYTON

Unique individuality is one of our God-given rights. Why, then, do some people try to act like others instead of just being themselves? It is possible that these people think that others are more cool or smarter than they are. This kind of thing is very subtle error.

When I was in seventh grade, I felt that I was not popular and nobody was really interested in me. I tried being like the popular guys. It just didn't work. Then I realized that the reason these particular guys were popular was that they didn't try to be like someone else. They were Christian Scientists, and tried to express God's qualities directly and not just copy another person. They had real individuality.

After that I decided to relate myself more closely to God because God is pure individuality. He is Soul, the source of all identity, of what makes us different from each other. "Man is the expression of Soul,"^{Science and Health, p. 477;} writes Mrs. Eddy. And the Bible says, "Now are we the sons of God."^{I John 3:2.} From then on, my experience was much more rewarding.