Unique

Sometimes we forget our own uniqueness and strength. On each of our fingers are what are called friction ridges, or raised skin on our palms and fingers. These ridges (fingerprints) are formed in us before birth, and don’t change with age (except in cases of injury to that part of the finger). Fingerprints have been found to be so unique that, even though the DNA of identical twins is equal, their fingerprints are different. Because we know this, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has a database (the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification) with over 47 million fingerprints on file, which is used to track criminals.

Another way we distinguish between us is by studying our eyes. Specifically, the colored portion of our eyes, called the iris, is different in each individual, even identical twins. Like fingerprints, the iris is formed before birth (beginning during the third month and completed by the eighth) and, for the most part, does not change over your lifetime. Even the iris in a person’s left eye is different from his or her right eye. Because the iris is so detailed and distinct, we can use it as an identification method.

These are not the only ways in which each person is unique. We also learn differently. A man named Howard Gardner identified several “intelligences.” Some of us are strong:

*kinesthetic learners: learn best by doing; these people are skilled at physical activities, like football or dance and prefer activities with movement (possible careers: athletes, actors, builders)

*interpersonal learners: learn best by interacting with others; they are sensitive to others’ moods and feelings, and can sympathize with others (possible careers: politicians, managers, teachers)

*linguistic: learn best by reading, listening, taking notes, and discussion; they are likely to be skilled at teaching, explaining, and persuading (possible careers: writers, lawyers, philosophers)

*mathematical: think logically, and excel in deductive and inductive reasoning, and skill with numbers (possible careers: scientists, mathematicians, engineers)

*intrapersonal: learn best by studying a subject by themselves; they are very aware of their own goals, emotions, and motivations, and are often seen as introverts (possible careers: philosophers, scientists, theologians)

*spatial: learn with visuals; skilled at manipulating visual objects (like rubix cubes); they are artistic, have a strong visual memory, and often have a good sense of direction (possible careers: artists, engineers, architects)

*musical: may learn best via lectures or by using songs or rhythms to learn information; they have good pitch and can play instruments, sing, and compose music (possible careers: musicians, singers, conductors)