How many times have you been called…different, weird? Never? Many times? Always? Whatever the answer may be, being different is not a definition that puts you out of context. Oh, no! Being different gives you the power to be who you always dreamed to be, to constantly have the freedom to re-invent yourself until you get it right, to paint the world in colors that you see… There are many “normal” people but not many “different” out there. It is the “different” who ever changed the world.
Whenever I think of people who changed the world, you know what pops in mind first? That image of Einstein with his tongue out, Newton rubbing his head after apple hit it, Edison with his light bulb, Steve Jobs in his black turtleneck, Tesla lost in thoughts, John Nash wondering the halls of Princeton… they were all “different”. They didn’t fit in.
Do you know what they all have in common? Their inventions that left the mark in the history of humanity.
Growing up in school, no one ever called me anything close to an innovator. They called me different. They called me weird. They called me a few other things I can’t say on TV… Thankfully, my mother taught me that being different was a good thing. That being different meant that you could actually make a difference.
Being different gives you the freedom to think and do things that not many will. It motivates you to reach unattainable heights because you see the world differently. You think of the world differently. And the world needs people who think differently. It needs visionaries, innovators… So next time you are criticized for being different and out of the ordinary, thank them! Our critics do not count. Their words fade but we don’t! Won’t!
So stay foolish. Stay hungry. Dream and work hard and you never know… one day it may be your name that will be part of history.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
4 comments
Bonjour Marija,
Super article sur la différence, chacun est différent, chacun à sa personnalité, il faut accepter les gens avec leurs qualités et leurs défauts, il faut être tolèrent.
Bonjour Christina,
Je suis absolument d’accord avec toi. Le monde entier devrait devenir plus tolérants et essayer d’accepter les différences dans les gens et les cultures comme quelque chose de beau et pas comme abominations 🙂
Merci pour ton commentaire 🙂
When I first read the title of your article, there’s a quote from an actor that I like, Sebastian Stan, that came to my mind and I think you might like it too – “Embrace your differences and the qualities about you that you think are weird. Eventually, they’re going to be the only things separating you from everyone else.” I like the Justin Timberlake quote, too.
I myself am afraid of being different because I’m afraid of being judged. I have a rather lively, expressive (I mean I like to show what I’m excited about) and natural personality which makes me appear as childish compared to people my age. But being “normal” wouldn’t be me. So I face a lot of comments regarding my personality (“act like an adult!”) but I still go my way because that’s what makes me happy. I’m not gonna change the world but my world is gonna be better that way. 😀
But it’s funny that you ask yourself that question because by reading you, I have this image of a very open minded and genuinely kind woman that everybody would like.:D I guess we’re all weird for someone because we all have different ways of being and living. So is “normal” real? Does it actually exist?
As usual, I speak too much! Always a pleasure reading you!
I love it, Audrey! Thanks for sharing the quote!!!:)) and thanks for sharing your experience too. I am happy to read that you too are fighting to keep the child in you 🙂 don’t lose your spark no matter what 🙂