Being Weird Builds Character

Normal (adj.): conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.

At twenty-one years old, most of my friends are graduating and hoping to find a stable job that comes along with dental benefits and a place to park your car out front. They are getting degrees with majors that require no explanation when you say them and doubling in getting an "MRS." degree by the time we turn our tassels and toss our caps. As much as I wish I had that, I do not want any of it at all.

What the heck am I doing?

With two failed relationships in college, unsure of where I am going to rest my head next year, and still taking the opportunity to buy an ice cream cone every chance I get.. you can say I am a little "off-course" of the college graduation pattern.

Not only that, but going deeper I understand I am a very weird person.

I have a dislocated tailbone from skydiving. I think autobiographies are the best accomplishment of famous people. I really like studying how computers talk to each other. I think mac 'n cheese should be apart of the food pyramid. I have had a retirement account since I was 18. I try to make as many puns as possible. I have a weird obsession with John Wayne. I like learning about a plethora of areas.. I even went to the Caterpillar factory to see how a hydraulic excavator was built. I just like being different.

But when life gets tough.. the "weird" parts about me are what comfort me the most.

Why does any of this matter?

Accepting that you are different builds character and confidence. No matter if you crave walking a "normal" path or put peanut butter on your pizza, you should appreciate the things that make you a little "weird".

Instead of focusing on the normal patterns that other people walk, remember that flowers don't all grow at the same time. As cliche as it sounds, it is important for us to identify what sets us apart. What makes you different? What do you like that others don't? What are you good at?

The thing that made you "weird" as a kid could make you "great" today... and it might just be a side effect of you being awesome.