If you are anything like me, you truly take pride in being your own self. When I was young I didn't even like to wear the "popular" name brands in school with the logo plastered all over it because I truly wanted to be my own individual self. By no means do I mean I'd do absolutely strange and outrageous things just so I'm not following the crowd, but I just genuinely liked to express my own creativity.

I can remember growing up countless times I had unintentionally started a trend of something without even trying. Not only did I find this annoying but then I would stop wearing or doing the thing I came up with just because I didn't want to look like I was following the crowd when in fact the crowd was mirroring me.

I think everyone has met someone at least once in their life that the second you show/tell them something you love or they see something you have, sure enough a short time later they seem to have magically grown the same interest or idea. Classic case of monkey see, monkey do I guess. Well, I'm here to tell all of you "shadows" something. BE. YOUR. OWN. INDIVIDUAL. If God wanted more than one of me (or someone else), he would have made a carbon copy. For goodness sake, is it that hard to have your own style, like your own taste, or come up with your own idea?!

I can't tell you how many times in my adult life I have been taken advantage of, (especially as a Photographer), when it comes to my own ideas. I have had people countless times act like they were being friendly to me to get information, just to turn around and stab me in the back. Stealing my ideas and my originality for their own benefit. Nothing quite fires me up like a copy cat. Especially when they take credit or benefit off of it. So in conclusion, do us all a favor, use what God gave you, be your own mind. I do not find it flattering to be copied, I find it point blank ANNOYING! You probably would too if you were in that person's shoes.