Since the dawn of time, we’ve been told that everyone is special. This is true; all of us have qualities and talents and quirks that make us unique. In fact, I’m sure you read my sub-headline in the voice of your kindergarten teacher, who stressed the importance of diversity every week.
But, really, there is something kind of fantastic about being *wiggles fingers* different.
In case you didn’t catch the reference, I watched Fantastic Mr. Fox over Thanksgiving Break with one of my friends. She loves this movie, so I was sure it would be awful because of the heightened expectations. Imagine my surprise when I realized I loved it, too!
Fantastic Mr. Fox expounds that old adage that we’ve all heard so many times before but never let sink in. Hell, I’m in college and still think about how the things I’m doing aren’t right. I’m not doing the things other people are doing, I don’t feel the same as them, I don’t act the same as them. I’m different; for a while, I thought this was a problem.
But here’s the thing: we’re all pretty *wiggles fingers* different. We have our strengths and weaknesses that either make us adorable or crazy to passersby. We are unique individuals in a world of unique individuals, and the fact that we don’t think the same way as the people around us is what makes the world go round.
I like to think of it this way: If I was majoring in business, like many of my friends, who would write the next great American novel? Who would provide entertainment and cultural commentary and a brief respite from the hectic days if I was like my friends, taking Economics 208 and Calculus 500? (Are those classes? I really don't know.)
Looking at the other side, who would help create businesses and spur innovation and better the world’s economy if my business friends were writers? Who would solve the energy crisis or paint the most beautiful paintings or build houses or heal the sick if everyone in the world were trying to become writers?
The fantastic thing about being *wiggles fingers* different is that our differences contribute to the greatness of the world. Our diversity in the way we look, think, act, eat, breathe, speak, and love are the fantastic things about us, so that even if we aren’t as athletic as our cousins, we can still succeed in getting our fathers out of the mess they created (now you have to see the movie).
So whatever it is you do best, do it well. The world needs it because the world needs you.
