Marching to a different beat
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. ~Henry David Thoreau
I think that the moment I stepped foot on this earth I marched to the sound of a different drummer. In school this came out in my—let’s say—unique behavior. This resulted in me feeling very alone. I was called a lot of less than savory names like “weirdo” and a few that are unmentionable here!
Being called names by the “popular” kids and even by the “unpopular” ones was pretty hard on my self esteem while growing up.
I would love to tell you that around 4th grade when I read Thoreau’s quote that suddenly the world made sense to me and I just kept on marching to the music I heard in the distance. I would love to tell you that, but reality was far different.
I tried to conform to the “normal” standards. I kept the space aliens, fire trucks with super powers, kids who could live with lions and all those other “fantastical” dreams and ideas and characters to myself while I was at school.
But when I got home—after I did my farm chores—I let those characters out on paper!
When I reached junior high I was blessed with an English teacher and a librarian who both appreciated and encouraged me to write. Having this encouragement from an adult was all I needed!
I was still a “weirdo” at school, but now I had the “approval” of my teacher. I was still ostracized by my peers, but it was a little better. Survivable anyway.
In 9th grade I had another teacher—Mrs. Axum—who cultivated my imagination and told me to not worry about what others thought and to just write, write, write!
Again, I would love to tell you that marching to the sound of a different drummer was easy, but, alas, it wasn't so.
Writing did give me an outlet, though, and for that I am grateful.
That was then, this is now
Now, I have no problem whatsoever following the beat of an unheard by others drummer. I am still uncomfortable in speaking with groups and sometimes even one-to-one, but now I don't care so much if people think I'm strange. I embrace it. I let my unique thoughts about the world out on the page (blog).
I don't hold back those funny firemen that run in and out of my nose. (Not really, but I am pretty sure when the Martian spaceship crash-landed on Planet Head, the aliens somehow got in there!)
Being able to write a blog—or several of them—is like a dream come true for someone who has things to say, but felt "voiceless" for so long.
Now that I have found my "voice," I am determined to help people. I hope that my sites are doing that.
I have a bit of a "lucky" bonus in that I work for a newspaper and I can promote my sites through some of the stories I write for that publication. At the same time, my job there is a blessing and a curse as it takes up a lot of my time. A LOT!
But, in the hours that I can help others through there and my sites, I think it is worth the time I spend writing.
Remember, ultimately, we are trying to help others with a problem. If we can offer a solution, we have a loyal reader and a possible customer.
Best wishes,
Karin :)
Recent Comments
24
I spend my life working with children that
many people find weird. Life is not always easy
for them, but the difference can be a wealth that
we learn to cultivate with experience. And you
do it very well.
Thanks for your post!
Long life difference!!
Ingrid
Thanks, Ingrid. We all have a place in this world. I just wish more of the world could accept that and then live peacefully with all the diversity that is around us.
Best wishes,
Karin :)
Karin,
I seldom fit in even when I was with the misfits. After I was an adult, I finally realized that I didn't really care what other people thought of me.
Ellen
Ellen,
When we reach that realization, it makes life a whole lot easier, doesn't it? I still care in that I want people to know I am a good person, but now, if they think I'm weird, that doesn't bother me! :)
Best wishes,
Karin :)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this lovely piece. I didn't fit in either, and understand keeping silent to avoid derision. Now, I smile to myself when I read Frank Sinatra's quote: "The best revenge is massive success." Being here at WA has given us all the opportunity to enjoy our own versions of massive success.
Great way to think about it, Nancy! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to enjoy the successes as they come!
Best wishes,
Karin :)
Marching to a different beat is needed here, and in any endeavor to achieve you must rise above the norm and that means marching to a different beat that the rest of the world. Just thinking. Thanks for sharing.
Ray
You are welcome, Michael. Thoreau is the author of the book Walden. He said he went to the "woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
I have made that a kind of motto for my life!
Best wishes,
Karin :)
Carrying on with the Thoreau theme:
"... if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. . . . In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness."
So, If I/We simply "Do The Next Step", It'll be All Good :-)
Tally-Ho .. Upward and Onward M'Friend ~~~
Joe
Thanks for adding that! I really enjoy Thoreau!
Let's keep on doing the next step!
Best wishes,
Karin :)
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Thanks Karin!
Love the quote and the new picture!
Had to laugh out loud at the image (in my mind) of little firemen running in and out of your nose! I love your imagination.
Your granddaughter is looking so grown up!
It’s always a pleasure to read your posts.
All the best,
KyleAnn
Good to hear from you, KyleAnn! Hope all is going well for you!
Best always!
Karin