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Diaries of a Socio-Spiritualist #2
Embracing Weirdness!
Often times we feel misunderstood, and start believing that the world is against us. Because we tend to process and interact with the world differently from the masses, we struggle to relate with normal events. Which sometimes causes problems, in our work place, family settings, society and even personal relationships. What comes natural to others, always seem like a struggle, like we are trying to fit into a suit that’s not the right size.
Now, society will try to make you feel like you are being stubborn, or uncultured, or unreasonable, as if anyone chooses to be different. Uniqueness is encouraged, only if it benefits others, but otherwise, it is weird. Weird! We are all too familiar with that term. At some point it was fashionable to be weird, or crazy. When someone was told that they were crazy, it was often perceived as a complement.
But then times changed, and all of a sudden, it is not acceptable anymore, being crazy or weird now means there’s something wrong with you. You need to change, to assimilate, to fit in with the crowd, that you are a misfit.
It is all well and good for those who were acting weird to begin with, who popularized it and made it a trend, they could just as easily change and pursue other fashion statements. But what about those that were not following the trend, those that were just being their natural selves. What of them? Should they also be expected to abandon their true nature in pursuit of the latest trends?
If we can accept weirdness when everyone else is doing it, that means it is not that bad, doesn’t it? Not everyone is made to fit in with the crowd, and that is okay. If we really want social cohesion, to live in peaceful coexistence, we need to accept people for who they are. Perhaps only then will we start seeing the value that their uniqueness adds to society. Even better, they can start feeling like part of society and play their role, in their own unique way and contribute to making it a warm place for everyone in it.
Photo by Jennifer Marquez on Unsplash
Now, society will try to make you feel like you are being stubborn, or uncultured, or unreasonable, as if anyone chooses to be different. Uniqueness is encouraged, only if it benefits others, but otherwise, it is weird. Weird! We are all too familiar with that term. At some point it was fashionable to be weird, or crazy. When someone was told that they were crazy, it was often perceived as a complement.
But then times changed, and all of a sudden, it is not acceptable anymore, being crazy or weird now means there’s something wrong with you. You need to change, to assimilate, to fit in with the crowd, that you are a misfit.
It is all well and good for those who were acting weird to begin with, who popularized it and made it a trend, they could just as easily change and pursue other fashion statements. But what about those that were not following the trend, those that were just being their natural selves. What of them? Should they also be expected to abandon their true nature in pursuit of the latest trends?
If we can accept weirdness when everyone else is doing it, that means it is not that bad, doesn’t it? Not everyone is made to fit in with the crowd, and that is okay. If we really want social cohesion, to live in peaceful coexistence, we need to accept people for who they are. Perhaps only then will we start seeing the value that their uniqueness adds to society. Even better, they can start feeling like part of society and play their role, in their own unique way and contribute to making it a warm place for everyone in it.
Photo by Jennifer Marquez on Unsplash
Thanks for this story, it resonates so well. This part especially ” But what about those that were not following the trend, those that were just being their natural selves. What of them? Should they also be expected to abandon their true nature in pursuit of the latest trends?”
Because the truism that Afrikan cultures are not respectful of individual ambitions and wellbeing has caused a lot of negligent behavior to go unchecked. Because the communal experience is regarding as superior to the feelings and concerns of private persons. Even the maxim Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu has been misused.