Here's an ode to all you silly, quirky, nutty, bonkers, strange, weirdos. You don't think like everyone else and half your brain capacity is filled with bizarre thoughts and funny jokes. So all you people who think you're "too cool for school", come to the fun side--it's life changing.
What even is normal? Normal is for squares. There's a quote from the Addams family (a great example of some peculiar people) that says, "Normal is an illusion. What is normal to the spider is chaos to the fly." In other words, what is normal to me, isn't normal to my mom, my teachers, or the stranger walking down the street. As a society we have created this grand idea of "normalcy." Reality is in the eye of the beholder and we create our own sense of how to interpret the world and declare what we think is "weird" and "normal."
So first things first, scratch the word "normal" (ew), out of your vocabulary and LET'S GET WEIRD. If you can't admit your weird, you're just lying to yourself. We all have a weird bone in our body. **ATTENTION**: all tough guys and gals who think they're too "popular" (another ew) to be weird, trust me, buddy, you're weird too. I'm the first person to admit I'm a complete weirdo and I love it. It's made me who I am today and caused for an interesting life. It's never boring when you have a brain like mine. At the end of the day, people are like "hey thanks for being the life of the party." You're welcome.
Okay so you're probably wondering: what is a weirdo? We all have different interpretations of this word, probably with a negative connotation, but I like at it as a good thing! Being called weird is basically a complement. Here are my three qualifications of a weirdo:
1. You posses the ability to think about the most random things and then say whatever comes to your mind. You have probably told everyone you come in contact with your grand idea of how ironic it would be if cows were actually allergic to dairy, or your theory of a beauty pageant with squirrels contestants only (talents include eating nuts and climbing trees.) Or whatever other idea you can think of, you get the gist. Us weirdos say it loud and proud, hoping for a laugh or two from the crowd.
2. You posses the ability to understand that life is a JUDGE FREE ZONE. You can literally talk to anyone, whether it be another weirdo or just a random person walking down the street. You're open to any other weird ideas and never judge anyone for being slightly more weird than yourself. You go with the flow and are just happy to be surrounded with people who have cool thoughts just like you. These days talking to people you don't necessarily know (people you see walking thru campus, or next to you in line if the caf might be considered a little "odd." Who cares! Say "hey" or "what's up" or make a stupid, but funny comment that gets that person to laugh, or doesn't. You say what's on your mind because you want to!
3. Most importantly, you posses the ability to always act like your complete self. There are two components to this. First you must step out of your comfort zone. You might act different when with your friends than you do in public with strangers, but why not put it out there in the open who you really are at first? You weed out the bad friends and the bad potential suitors. You are confident with the person you are. If people for some reason don't like you for being yourself, are they actually worth it? The answer is NO! I've been called annoying and obnoxious before and you know what I say to that? Don't let the door hit ya on the way out. The best advice I've ever been told is don't care what people think of you. Second, you must learn to laugh at yourself too. If you say something really weird and no one gets it... laugh at your own joke! I'm my biggest fan. You did something embarrassing like trip in front of your crush (happens to the best of us), just laugh it off! And even if you're always the butt of everyone's joke, don't be sensitive about it--remember you're a weirdo and most likely can think of something witty as a comeback. Don't sweat the small stuff, it's not the end of the world.
Above all else, be PROUD. I'm a weirdo and I want to shout it from the rooftops! Being my true self is how I became so happy. When I realized what people thought of me didn't matter, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. It's not their life, it's mine! I accept myself for who I am, and you should too.
Calling all hip, awesome, cool, rad, weirdos, I want you to know that: you're the bees knees, the cat's meow, all that and a bag of chips. Keep doing you! Laugh with others, laugh at yourself, make strangers into friends, say what you want... just stay true to yourself.
Stay weird, ponyboy.
