Do you sometimes feel that you’re “different?” 

Have you ever thought of yourself as a “black sheep” either in your family circle or amongst your friends? 

Do you find yourself departing from conventional ways of doing things and forging your own unique path? 

Do you feel that your background differs from that of your peers?

I certainly have felt that way.  I come from a family of painters, sculptors, writers, sailors, and master gardeners.  I remember in elementary school that not one of my friends could understand that my father was a sculptor and a fine arts professor.  I also knew from an early age that I would probably be pursuing an unusual path in life or at least pursuing a conventional path in an unusual way.

If you’re a bit of a black sheep, then you know exactly what I mean. 

You’ve perhaps felt that feeling of not wanting to, or not being able to, fit in. 

Perhaps bold and unique ideas spring into your mind when presented with a problem, ideas that leave others in your industry scratching their heads.  Perhaps your parents wanted you to be a doctor and you’ve ended up a rock musician.

Well I want to assure you that it is a wonderful thing to risk being “different.” 

To venture into “seeming odd.”  To speak your mind (respectfully of course) even when it flies in the face of what experts in your field are espousing.  You are a special gift to the world and the more unique thinkers that flourish, the better our world will be. 

To really embrace your uniqueness means doing what you love and feel innately drawn to, instead of doing what you “should” do. 

It means becoming acutely aware of your special gifts and then purposefully nurturing them and giving them free rein to expand and grow.  It means relinquishing the approval-seeking tendencies you may have and being brave enough to go it on your own if you have to, to achieve a goal. 

Embracing your uniqueness also means having the courage to withstand societal pressures that try to squelch your original ideas.

Will you be a spiritual change agent for others?  Will you invent a wonderful new way of doing things?  Will you touch others’ lives with your original viewpoints and encourage them to embrace their own individuality? Will you live your life on your own terms?

Dare to be different. 

Stand strong for your unique ideas. 

Turn your back on the seductive lure of easy mediocrity. 

The people who are changing the world are the thought leaders, the forward thinkers, those who hold onto their individuality and find ways to bring it out into the world.