Picture taken of me at a Japanese Animation convention in Dallas, Texas

The word, different, is a description I am all too familiar with. Usually its coupled with other words like strange, peculiar, eccentric, odd and the list goes on.

I am reminded of the scene from the movie, “The Fantastic Mr. Fox,” when Kristoferson Silverfox, Ash’s Cousin, is in class and his lab partner is asked about why his cousin was so “different.”

I loved this movie because I related so much to Ash. I’ve had those “Ash moments” when I was growing up. Perhaps you were as well.

How did I know I was different!? To put it simply, it wasn’t too hard to figure it out.

I grew up loving different kinds of music compared to my peers.

I could never fit in with “cool” crowds. In fact, I usually talked to those who were much older than me half the time. I could never relate to my peers when it came to pop culture, music or anything. I DID, however, connect with random people who were as different as I was.

I was watching local news at age 11 and had an opinion about the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

I turned my Family office into a weather center. I would come home after school, walk into the office, grab my clip board and sign in. I would type onto the computer my quick weather summary and forecast and then sign out. That was age 13!

As an adult, age 27 to be exact, I can be often random and witty. I have an assortment of very different tastes in books, television and the list goes on.

That’s only a small segment of random stories. Perhaps you yourself have the same type of history as far as being “different.”

Being different does have its negative moments even in the midst of its benefits. It can sometimes be difficult to find someone who can truly relate to you, let alone understand you, even partially. You see the world so “differently” and you have dreams, visions, ideas and hopes floating in your head and your heart, and yet, you live in a world that makes it harder and even a shameful thing to disclose such things. To be honest, being different can sometimes mean you travel a lonely road, but, only for a season.

I got picked on for being different. People even to this day look at me strange because I am, and can, be a little bit “different.” Even in the times we are living in, being different may be something as simple as opening a door for a lady, keeping oneself pure or, gasp, not swearing in every other sentence!

I mean, what the “cuss” right!? (a little “Fantastic Mr. Fox reference there for those wondering why I used the word “cuss”).

But worry not, being different has its positives as well. A co-worker, for example, asked me about cartooning and animated works. If I wasn’t so “different,” then I may not have been able to assist. Think of others who are “different,” but hiding in the shadows.

Embrace being different! You were created to be “different.” You are genuine. You are unique. You are (wave hands around) different! (another “Fantastic Mr. Fox” reference).

Those who pick on you are just not embracing the idea of daring to be different. In fact, its the ones who are different that make a difference!

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