It's okay to be different

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”  Steve Jobs

I love this quote! It speaks to me and reminds me that we don't all have to be the same.  It seems in this day and age, we shoot for sameness.  Just go to the high school at the end of the day...every girl, every boy striving to be just like everyone else. All looking and thinking alike.  It's easier to blend in.  Not to draw unwanted attention to yourself.  

Teenagers have a lot of pressure these days.  Dress in the right clothes, look the right way, belong to the right groups, earn the right grades.  There isn't a lot of room for diversity without being judged by their peers.

And what happens when they choose to go their own way?  Form their own look or believe different thoughts?  Their peers and even adults tend to judge what kind of person they are based upon appearances.

My middle and youngest child tend to be different.  They questions things...religion, politics, policies.  They do their own thing in regards to fashion/appearance.  My son grew out his hair, my daughter will go to school without brushing hers.  He never wears jeans.  She gravitates towards dark colors, at times a punkish look.  He's an atheist, she questions religious process.  He's a vegan, she's decided to be a vegetarian. 

It is hard to be that person in this town.  We like our round pegs in their round holes.  I readily admit that I wanted my children to blend in, be like everyone else.  Mainly because that's how I went through high school and mostly through life.  YOU have to fit in...but you don't.  

Be that round peg in the square hole.  Be the one who can see that differences are a good thing.  Be disagreeable.  Question everything.  Form your own opinions...don't just emulate mine. Be kind. And don't judge a book by it's cover.  Get to know someone before you form opinions on what kind of person they are.  Everyone is just trying to find their way...