There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that

Martha Graham, the great pioneer of modern dance, spoke with the voice of eternal truth when she said: “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.” These words rise beyond the world of dance and performance; they are a hymn to the singularity of the human soul. She reminds us that within each being lies a current of divine force, a flame that no other has ever carried, nor will ever carry again.

The meaning of her declaration lies in the mystery of individuality. Each person is a vessel of energy—an unrepeatable channel through which the universe expresses itself. This vitality is not given for hoarding, but for release into the world through action. To withhold it is to deny the world a creation that only you can bring forth. The truth Graham unveils is both gift and responsibility: because there is only one of you in all of history, your expression must not be silenced.

Her own life is the testimony of this belief. Born in an age when dance was bound by strict traditions, Graham broke away and created something entirely new. Her movements were raw, grounded, fierce—expressing not just grace but struggle, not just beauty but truth. Many resisted her at first, for she shattered conventions. Yet she understood that her life force could not be imitated, and by remaining faithful to her unique vision, she gave birth to a revolution in art that reshaped the stage forever.

History offers echoes of this same truth. Consider Vincent van Gogh, whose brush translated his inner storms into color and movement. Though scorned in life, his art became immortal because it bore a quickening that belonged only to him. No one else could place those strokes upon canvas, for no one else carried his particular vision of the world. His expression was unique, and in time the world recognized its worth.

The lesson is clear: each of us holds within a singular spark that must be brought forth. To compare oneself to another is to misunderstand the nature of existence. There will never be another voice, another creation, another movement like yours. When you suppress it out of fear, conformity, or doubt, the world is robbed of something it can never recover. When you release it, no matter how small it may seem, you honor both yourself and the source of your energy.

In practice, this means embracing your individuality without shame. Speak your truth even if it trembles. Create art, build, teach, nurture—whatever your gift may be, let it flow through you into action. Do not wait for permission, nor for perfect conditions, for the life force within you is always urging you to move. Trust that even if the world does not immediately understand, your unique expression has a place in the great tapestry of time.

Therefore, children of tomorrow, remember Martha Graham’s wisdom: you are the only one of your kind in all eternity. Do not betray your gift by silence. Let your vitality, your energy, your quickening flow outward into action. For the world does not need more imitation; it longs for authenticity. And when your brief time has passed, your unique expression will remain as your echo in the halls of memory—proof that you lived, that you dared, that you gave the world what only you could give.