I know the title of this blog is probably quite intriguing for some of you; you might be thinking "finally, someone is writing a blog post for ME!" or you might be thinking "Oh great, just another blog about being unique and 'it's OK to be weird'. please, give me a break". Whatever your first reaction was when you read the title, I encourage you to read the blog anyway. It's something I'm pretty passionate about, and you'll see why. I don't mind if you get up and dance around the room because someone "finally understands" or you're rolling your eyes the whole way through; read it anyway :)
If you've spent 2 seconds with me, you know that I'm not really "normal". I like to go against the current, challenge the status quo, say really weird and home schooled things, and encourage uniqueness and a dash of weirdness. On any given day I might receive about 15 disgusted/horrific looks from coworkers, as well as several sharp words such as "just stop!", "you're so weird.", "you're embarrassing yourself.", and my personal favorite "can't you just be normal for 2 seconds?" Well, I could be normal like you (or what you think is normal), but that wouldn't be fun at all.
I don't think any of our classic world changers were normal. Anyone who has made any drastic mark on the world was first sneered at for being "out there". Their ideas were awful, too eccentric for the normal people, and their passion labeled them weird or even creepy (Edgar Allen Poe, for example; the now great game changer in the poetry world was once an outcast). "Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric." -Bertrand Russell. Normal people feel uncomfortable being around the weird ones, because they care too much about what other people think. They are afraid of looking stupid, being embarrassed, and for heavens sake, don't you dare call them weird! Maybe they think weirdness is a disease you can catch if you hang around that person for too long! Well if that's the case, I'd enjoy some more weird friends! The more the merrier!
My personality type, according to the Myers Briggs Personality Assessment, is ENFP. The "trouble" with the ENFP's are clear; they are extremely obsessed with individuality! They want everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin, and would feel absolutely terrible if they made someone feel like they should be anything but completely themselves. They encourage everyone to be unique in their own way, because everyone was created differently. In their minds, everyone is a little weird. No one is normal; normal doesn't even exist! It's just a stereotype created to make certain people feel safe in their attempt to be just like the person they're standing next to. I say thanks, but no thanks! I'm not here to be a copy of the people in my life. I am here to be me, and to bring out the best in the people around me, whether it's considered weird or not.
Something I would say to the weirdos is just this: you can't live to please everyone in your life. You'll be trying to find thousands of ways to please people who don't matter. My favorite quote is this one; "Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter" by Dr. Seuss. If someone is shooting you a disgusted look because you're excited about an idea, or you're acting nerdy in public, or you're just too passionate for them, just remember that their opinion doesn't even matter a bit. They are stuck in their delusions, believing that normal is good. Don't let their disapproval of your expressions or personality quench the fire in your heart. They're just as weird as you, they just aren't comfortable with showing it yet.
Something I would say to those who look down on their weird "friends" for being different: "No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit." -Ansel Adams. I would encourage you, next time, when they are doing something nerdy in your presence, or maybe you think they are too weird for society, to keep your cutting remarks and the disgusted look on your face to yourself. Those kind of things only tell them that being themselves is not OK in your presence. It tells them that you are not comfortable enough in your own skin, because you are too easily embarrassed by someone who is simply too different than you. Those words and looks sting them, and cause them to retreat when they are with you. And you may find yourself, one day, only surrounded by the dull and boring, with little to no creative minds to keep the mood alive! They are different than you, and that's OK! Just remember that they are children of God just like you, and they deserve the same respect you believe you deserve. :)
There are so many different types of weird, because no one is the same. We are all created differently with different purposes, different habits, different beliefs and different passions. My weirdness includes, but is not limited to, the following: I like to sing veggie tales and show tunes, as well as Disney songs and musicals in public. I get excited about little things, and show it in an outward display (such as waving my arms in excitement, jumping up and down, or getting an extremely nerdy look on my face). I was home schooled (probably the most "uncool" thing EVER in south Florida). I'm only funny to me (you know, the type of people who laugh at their own jokes...yep, meeee!) I genuinely enjoy hanging out with small children; I think they're pretty wise. About 99% of the things I say are extremely nerdy, not because I talk about comic books all day, or because I'm so extremely intellectual; it's more about the way I say it (such as, "Hey guys, what's up??!!" while I'm sporting a classic thumbs up, or my hand is in the air waiting for a high five from each individual in the room...um, nerd.) For some reason, those little things about me make certain people genuinely dislike me, label me weird, annoying or cheesy, and consider themselves somehow superior to me. But it's no big deal. I've learned to own those things!! And honestly, their genuine and obvious discomfort whenever one or all of those things are displayed, only makes me want to do it more! Because guess what, there's nothing wrong with me. :) I'm a person with qualities that might be different than yours, but it doesn't make me any less of a person. So whatever your intricacies, don't let anyone snuff out your light.
The anthem of the weirdos: There is nothing wrong with us!
