I have never fit cleanly into any particular category. I’m not a social butterfly, but I’m definitely not a loner. I’m not a designer, developer, or server administrator…but I’m known to be any or all of those things in any given week. When I was younger, it used to bother me that I was so unlike my peers. It was as if I missed the conformity indoctrination growing up—I was just different in hundreds of tiny ways.
Now that I’m older and growing into the man I’m going to be for the rest of my life, I take comfort in being unapologetically, consistently, and uniquely me. It’s liberating feeling. I’m much more at peace enjoying a meal by myself in a crowded restaurant full of commotion than I used to be. I’m completely ok with not knowing anyone at an event that I’m interested in attending. I’ve become accustomed to people trying to categorize me mentally when meeting me…and failing miserably.
I take comfort in the fact that I’m uniquely suited to fulfill my destiny here on earth based on the person I am. Not the person that I feel like I should be. Not the person I envisioned myself growing up to be. Just me.
Just me.
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And you’re a damn fine man at that, Mr. Jackson.
I appreciate that, my friend.
Don’t forget the part about being a good motivator.
I had to get this post published before you blew by everyone I know, man—I can’t wait until Atlanta catches wind of the locomotive that is your soon-to-be-released potential ;) Thanks bro.
pressing the “like” button
‘Preciate you, Adaora-O!
Sounds a little like myself except I was comfortable with it as early as I can remember and most people around me (neighbors and relatives) didn’t like me haha!
That’s hilarious. People typically like me if they can deal with my vicious sarcasm and deadpan humor. And if my relatives can’t stand me, they haven’t shared it with me yet :-D
just thought i’d drop in and say that i really admire the design of your blog. cheers!
and a nice read, too.
Thanks Randy! I try to keep the design pretty minimalist.
It’s always good to meet someone else that missed the conformity seminar. :-) Happy to have found you online.
Wouldn’t have it any other way :)
Amen.
“I was the dreamweaver, but now I am reborn. I was the walrus, but now I am John.” – John Lennon
Love that.
Hi Willie!
We met in ATL at Seth’s talk – so neat to see that you’re now on his team! I have always felt different myself, and so glad to find so many others in the world.
Love + luck!
Thanks Bunny! Funny how things turn out, eh?
So glad that I discovered you & your website. I look forward to learning more about you and all the wonderful journeys you will take.
This came up in one of my feeds today – and it’s so incredible and true. You flawlessly put words into the epistimology of the 18-20something generation, and I greatly appreciate it.
Taking nothing away from the previous comment wrt 18-20 somethings… I’m almost 48 and I’ve walked this walk not fitting in anywhere my whole life. I swear up through college I thought aliens from another universe must have dropped me off (hopefully by accident LOL) —- FINALLY in the last couple of years online I’ve found people like you who are marvelously NOT cookie-cutter! Viva les differences!!! I love it!!! :D
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