We meet countless influencers in our lives, mentors, teachers, parents, and leaders. We learn from them, and they shape who we become. But in that process of learning, a critical question arises: Do we emulate them, or do we imitate them?

Many use these words interchangeably, but understanding the distinction can be the difference between fulfilling your unique purpose and losing yourself in someone else’s shadow.

Let’s look at the definitions:

• To Emulate: To strive to equal or excel. It is a form of imitation with the goal of surpassing.
• To Imitate: To follow as a pattern or model. Its second definition, however, is “to mimic or counterfeit.”

This second definition of “imitate” is where the danger lies.

The Power of Emulation

When you emulate someone, you honor them. You learn from their journey, their skills, and their wisdom with the intention of building upon it. As a teacher, coach, and parent, I want those I mentor to emulate me. I want my children and students to surpass my knowledge and my skillset.

This is a generational blessing. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Our ancestors paved the way with their struggles so that we could achieve more. We want our children to stand on our shoulders in turn, to go further and build higher. This is the beautiful cycle of emulation; it is about growth, expansion, and honoring a legacy by pushing it forward.

The Pitfall of Imitation

Imitation becomes problematic when it crosses the line into counterfeiting. It’s one thing to admire someone’s pattern; it’s another to try to become them.

I experienced this firsthand. Someone began hosting seminars, building a platform, and even sharing stories that were eerily similar to mine. The problem? Their stories weren’t authentic. They were mimicking my life, not building their own.

This isn’t flattery; it’s mockery. Counterfeit platforms always have holes, and eventually, the light shines through and burns them up. When you imitate to the point of losing yourself, you operate from a seed of jealousy, covetousness, and deceit. You become a cheap copy, and a copy can never wear the original’s shoes because it wasn’t cut from the same cloth.

Walking Your Own Path

Yahweh (God) gave each of us a unique purpose, a specific set of gems and rubies that define who we are. Your journey is yours alone. You can’t tell my story because you haven’t lived it, and I can’t tell yours.

The goal is to learn from the sages who have walked the path ahead of you. Absorb their teachings, let them shape your understanding, and then use that foundation to build your own unique house. Sound like your mentor when you teach? That can be a form of honorable emulation if the knowledge is true and the heart is right. But mix it up without true understanding, and you dishonor them and yourself.

The Choice is Yours

So, as you move forward, I challenge you to choose emulation over imitation.

• Emulate those you admire. Strive to match and then surpass their wisdom. Stand on their shoulders to see further.
• Move away from mere imitation. Avoid that fine line where admiration becomes a counterfeit identity.

Remember, while some say “imitation is the highest form of flattery,” that kind of flattery can be the sharpest knife in your back when you least expect it. Yahweh only made one you. Don’t become a counterfeit version of someone else. Walk in the shoes you were graced to wear.

Thiz is Me, Cee Marie B.