Doing Your Own Thing

Alternatively entitled: 

"Being an Out-fitter..."

I remember one of my favorite parts of Sesame Street when I was growing up was when they sang "one of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong...."  but the best version of the song was "one of these kids is doing her own thing...."  I loved it and of course that completely resonates with me now.  Last night, when I was taking my mentee to the Laker game, I played one of my favorite songs by the Dixie Chicks.  I stopped to explain to him the back story of "Taking the Long Around."  Then, I played the song...my favorite part is when Natalie sings:

"I fought with a stranger and met myself, 

I opened my mouth and I heard myself, 

It can get kinda lonely when you show yourself, 

Guess I could've made it easier on myself 

But, I...

I could not follow."  

Dixie Chicks - "Taking the Long Way Around"

Some of the dopest lyrics...EVER.  Jose and I discussed seeing yourself clearly and the pros and cons of following for the sake of ease.  To me, it really isn't easier to be a gen-popper.  I think it's more painful to deny myself of who I really am to fit into a box that others will deem to be more appealing.  This goes back to my thoughts on us all being naturally multifaceted.  I think what actually goes against the grain is trying to keep everything in line with the infamous status quo.  I mean, no one watches a story centered around a bad guy who never tries to make good or a good guy who's "goodness" is never tested.  a) that's not real life and b) it's not very interesting.  Living a life without shaking it a up a bit is not only incredibly boring but I don't think we actually grow or learn anything.  Without knocking preconceived notions around or turning idealistic thoughts on their heads how do we really know what we truly think and feel?  Yes, it can be extremely lonely when it seems like no one thinks like you or when everyone ridicules you for trying something different.  Seriously, I've spent the entirety of my life as an out-fitter.  I've had friends...amazing friends..but I was never one who "fit in"...NEVER.  I guess "I could've made it easier on myself" by changing the outside, and I did try to assimilate for a millisec.  But that was just too damned painful because the truth is that I can't change my spirit and everything that I say, the way I look, the way I carry myself, the clothes I like...yadda yadda yadda are merely an outer expression of what's internal and intangible.  That "weirdness" is raw energy, that "radical" person is really only expressing what their spirit sees as truth.  Honestly, all art form at some point was thought to be strange and/or taboo by the masses until someone else broke it down and could see from another's point of view.  Only then, do gen-poppers jump on board and it's "cool".  

My homie, Mike 2.0 said "Jewel, you've always been one of those kids doing their own thing."  Thanks, Mike. :)  When people express themselves "differently" it's actually not an effort to be different just for different's sake.  I think it's really a part of the natural progression to keep this party rolling...forward.  Challenging what's deemed to be common thought allows us to be closer to each other.  We break down invisible (and sometimes physical) barriers.  

Now that I think about it, everyone of my close-close friends is "weird", even if they didn't know it at first. *ahem* Shak lol  I guess like attracts like.  Love it.  Cheers to doing your own thing.

100.

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