“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman
I think all of us can admit we’d do anything we can to change the world right now. It has been a hard year so far, to say the least. From the global pandemic to racial injustice, it seems like everywhere we turn there’s a new fight waiting for us. I don’t know about you but this time has definitely shed some light on my inner circle and who is a fellow weirdo and change-maker. Being different and utilizing your individuality isn’t easy. In a cookie-cutter world, there will constantly be a barrage of noise and pressure to encourage you to “quiet down.” But no one who changed the world was ever cookie-cutter. Change-makers, philanthropists, activists, artists and those truly doing the work are weird. They’re individuals. And the world needs them.
Changing the world might seem like an insurmountable task, but I believe it is done in tiny, actionable steps that add up over time. If you have ever watched a ripple in a body of water expand, or heard one person’s laugh result in a room full of laughter, you know little actions lead to monumental movements. You don’t have to overhaul the political and social structures of the world. Many people who have changed the world did so, not by focusing on changing entire nations, but by focusing on improving and changing that which they were already familiar with.
The thing is, we can’t make any change if we’re just a faceless name in the crowd. In a world where conformity is the easiest option, authenticity is in high demand. Deep down, everyone wants to be more real, but we are all afraid to be the first one. When you start living as your true self, weirdness and all, you give permission to those around you to do the same. We might not say it out loud, but everyone wants to see your honest self. We are starving for realness.
Everything original seems weird at first. Imagine what Steve Jobs’s colleagues thought when he said, “what if we put a camera in the phone and took away buttons?” People probably looked at him like he was crazy. New ideas often on first impression appear to not fit in. But, as time passes, new ideas find a purpose that was not expected. Eventually the idea is replicated and contributes to the evolution of the species. Ideas are the evolution that pushes society forward. What is weird might not be understood today, but by tomorrow, it could be the new norm. Which is all the more reason to embrace your weird. Resisting your natural self is only going to deprive the world of your next great idea.
Your weirdness is your greatest gift. Your individuality is your strongest asset. Just so you’re prepared, using your individuality and weirdness will never be easy. Not to sound like your high school English teacher, but if it was easy everyone would do it. When you are someone who prides themselves in their beautiful individuality, taking control, choosing your own destiny, bucking the trend, finding your vision and living your own life, people are going to think you’re weird. And that’s how you’re going to change the world.
