All the “weirdos,” all the “stupids,” all the “oddballs.” I’m proud to walk among you, because my uniqueness is what makes my writing stand out.
Were you ever bullied as a kid? Forced to give up your milk money? Endured long hours of whispers or sly smirks, followed by giggles behind your back? Maybe you weren’t cool, maybe you blinked too much. Maybe you looked five years younger, or maybe your legs stretched too long.
But today, you’re different. Your writing stands out from the crowd. And that’s freakin’ awesome.
Let me tell you why
Whether you’re an artist, writer, marketer, photographer … etc. … you see things differently than others. You think “out of the box,” which makes you the best at what you do.
And hey, if it wasn’t for all those great, awkward experiences in your youth, do you really think you’d have all this awesome material to pour onto paper?
I’m sure you’ve heard of the international bestseller, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” Author Jeff Kinney said in a 2010 Huffington Post interview, “I was an average kid, but I definitely had my wimpy moments. I used to spend my swim team practices down by the creek, collecting tadpoles, until I got caught by my mom.”
Don’t you just love it?
So embrace your outcast-ness!
I sure do hunker down and hang onto mine. Oh, and now that I’m 30, I LOVE looking younger (contrary to my years as a teenager).
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOU? What aspect of yourself do you embrace that’s different from the crowd—which you use as a writer, or artist, or just overall creative?
Everything about me was weird–my Indianness, my skin color, my passions, my depth. These are what make me a writer, a mentor, a teacher, a minister now. It’s what makes me so thankful to be me–a very unique creation, indeed.
Love you, Shari, and happy 30. You’ll love this decade.
During the past several years I have made it a point to embrace my uniqueness. Always before I thought I was less than others because I was different. I have never thought like my peers. I’ve always had my face in a book or was creating my own words. Now I know that being different is simply in knowing that I embrace my uniqueness. I am happy being me.
What a great statement to make, Donna. Isn’t that an amazing revelation to come to? “I am happy being me.” SO FREEING!
I embrace my ability to get along with people from all different cultures – which I incorporate in my writing. Great post!
That’s an awesome ability to have, Krystiana! Thanks for the kind words!
What a fun post, Shari. Your’e so right that those eccentricities among us make for GREAT fiction fodder.
Thanks Melissa! Yes, I know I’m using some of my interesting life circumstances for my fiction fodder.
I so agree…us artsy people are probably definitely a different breed…but, I LOVE IT! ~mkg
Completely agree with you Marilyn. I love being part of “the breed.”
Hello there! Love the picture of my fellow “weirdo” ! I wish I was 30 again!
Hahaha! Thanks Ariana.