Finding your unique factor
Today’s Inspirational Quote is:
“If you want to be truly successful, invest in yourself to get the knowledge you need to find your unique factor. When you find it and focus on it and persevere, your success will blossom.”
This is a quote from Sydney Madwed, an individual who seemingly has made several very quotable observations, but little else is found online about him. I don’t have time at this moment to do a more extensive search on this individual, but if anyone knows more about him/her, do let us know. All I have been able to come up is site after site that quotes him/her — but no further details!
Back to the topic at hand, and that is “finding your unique factor.” I am attracted to that thought because my sister-in-law is about to pass away of terminal cancer.
She has had a magnificent (albeit short) life at making her mark everywhere she went and never allowing anyone to interfere with or influence her “unique factor.” She knew who she was and wanted to be and that was enough for her. She never tried to impress anyone in trying to be something or someone she was not.
This defiant attitude did cause raised eyebrows and friction at times over the course of her 68+ years, but that did not flinch her confidence or her determination.
Lea Gasper loved to celebrate her uniqueness and the uniqueness of others.
Léa will always be remembered for her colourful expressions (verbal and facial) and is loved and respected by those who have known her. That is largely because she embraced her unique factor. She did not fight it, try to hide it, try to change it, or try to force it on anyone.
You’ve heard the quote, “it is what it is” — which by the way, has 20 contemporary definitions on the Urban Dictionary site: http://www.urbandictionary.com. Check it out if you’ve never been there.
Léa adapted that attitude to her own lifestyle. She accepted things she could not change. She embraced change when it was necessary, and she never let anyone or anything stifle her own unique factor.
Her success was not measurable by financial means, but rather by the emotion she was able to instill in people. I was reminded of that inherent quality yesterday, spending several hours at her hospital bed and watching the endless stream of friends and family coming by to say what is likely their last good-byes to a wonderfully spirited woman. Hat’s off to someone who found her unique factor early in life and embraced it.
Have you found your own unique factor, and are you embracing it?
Thank you for this very thought provoking post. I especially like "invest in yourself to get the knowledge you need to find your unique factor". I think many times we do not want to invest the time or we feel we are not worthy, or feel guilty about investing in ourselves, even if it for something we are passionate about. We may have feelings of being selfish, especially if we usually like to give more than receive.
I admire your sister for find her "unique factor" and sticking by it. It defines who she is and from what I read, she is an admirable person, who has courage and resolve to live her life and not lose herself in the process. She knew what to do for her success. We should all follow her example. I do not think I have found my "unique factor" yet, but I will definitely give it some thought.
Thanks to all for the kind words and for sharing your own personal reflections on "the unique factor." I truly find it to be a fascinating one.
My thoughts are with you and your family, Doreen. As for finding my place in the world I have always known (since early teens anyway) that writing is what I would do. I have explored writing of all kinds and within all sorts of worlds (fiction, academics, business, etc.).
Each exploration adds one more thread to the fabric that is me. This is a continuous work in progress that I hope will culminate in a tapestry reflective of the "unique factor" that has been woven over a lifetime.
Sounds as if you were very fortunate to have Lea in your life, Doreen – and vice versa. Saying goodbye is tremendously important.
I think finding your place in the world comes naturally with age, if you feel (as I do) that you "grow into yourself" as you grow older. Note that I say "grow" older, expressly.
Doreen —
Thanks for the reinforcing words about finding one's place in the world. My condolences too.