It was another one of those trips that my family and I have made over the last couple of years. As we mature, the vulnerability of life is exposed.

Eventually we made it to the hospital room as we began a long wait for a platelet transfusion. After a few hours the physician entered the room and began to give us an explanation of why we had such a prolonged wait.

As he gave us a crash course about blood, I found myself reflecting on life as I often do during times like these.

The doctor explained the risks of patients receiving platelets from someone other than their blood type. During this crash course I discovered how much this lesson can be applied to our daily lives.

My mind began to think about the dangers of us concealing the real us and taking on the personalities of others.

Let me begin by saying that it is so important that we as human beings stay true to who we are instead of becoming carbon copies of others.

While we may enjoy the lives and personalities of others, who we are is so desperately needed. The average lifespan of platelets is relatively short, specifically five to nine days. When we consider this truth, it is apparent why we should not attempt to be what we are not. In order to maintain another’s life it takes tremendous energy and effort leaving the imposter in need of frequent transfusions.

Although one may receive constant transfusions it still does not make them an original. Who can be better at being you than you?

Blood and blood products are serious business. They can only be given when our blood levels are low and we are in need of assistance in producing more.

Transfusions should only be given when necessary and on a temporary basis; we were not designed to live on constant transfusions. They help to boost the production of what we already have; they can’t replace what’s not there.

In the same manner, others help us to enhance who we are instead of us suppressing the real us.

From time to time we may experience moments when we need help from others to get us back to who we really are.

However, this is not to erase or hinder the real us. Norman Vincent Peale once said, “Do not be awestruck by other people and try to copy them. Nobody can be you as efficiently as you can.”

The good news is that everyone who walks the face of this earth is an original. There are no carbon copies. So celebrate who you are and be the best you that you can be.