The other evening, I was meticulously assembling and painting one of my many model airplanes. I carefully constructed the wingspan of this F-15C Eagle, gently sealed the cockpit and began to brush whisping strokes of color upon this small, plastic aircraft.

As I completed the final coat of what was to be the base color of the model, my oldest nephew sat across from me and began, in great detail, to tell me "how to paint" this particular plane; as I was not "painting it to standard." I promptly decided to ignore him and continue with my artistry. Shifting my head from side to side, I admired the miniature, mechanical replica.

Setting the plane aside, my eyes turned towards my nephew. I said, " ... now, there are many planes. Many look identical, but there were quite a few that stood out among the massive air fleet," I paused, " ... my plane is still not complete. It will be unique from other models, as were those squadron fighters who took special initiative in painting their own, unique designs and decals."

Smugly, he retorted, " ... well, I was just trying to tell you how they're SUPPOSED to look."

Yesterday, I almost finished my aircraft. It still needs some minor adjustments and its decal applications. The final product has the appearance of an alligator. Large, piercing eyes adorn the nose. Olive green, tan and yellow-tinted scales grace the bottom of this intricately designed craft as well. In addition, white, glossy teeth line the sides of the 1:48 scale plane.

Softly holding the small craft in my hands, I marveled at its spectacle. It was unique in every form and fashion. Then I pondered over what my nephew had remarked the previous day, "... I was just trying to tell you how it's SUPPOSED to look..." That comment is ironically a stereotypical ideology of human-brain thinking.

Metaphorically speaking, I compare the crafting, design and uniqueness of my tiny craft to that of God's intricate design of human beings. We are, in essence, interconnected on a cosmological realm; however, each human has his or her own special individuality. If I literally took the typical standpoint that we, as humans, are to act, think, feel and present ourselves all alike, then we no longer exist by identity, but by mere numbers.

Each person is extraordinarily created to be the light in the darkness, and to beat his drum to a different rhythm. Those who create personal individuality are the thinkers, the dreamers, and the doers of humanity. When Einstein developed the light bulb, I'm sure many thought he was insane. When Alexander Graham Bell wanted to communicate through a mechanism connected only by flimsy wiring, there were skeptics as well. You see, those who have exemplary vision of "being different," create realities.

In closing, build your craft (life) the way you so desire. It is human nature to spread your wings, expand and soar this global plane from the form in which you, yourself, were created: Be who YOU desire to be -- and in doing so, aspire to be different from "normalcy."

2003 - Dissolving Sterotypes through Personal Individuality
By C. Bailey-Lloyd