Thoughts on being a misfit
Life is hard my friend. In fact, it’s way harder than it should be.
Far too often we enter the world not knowing who we are meant to be or where we are destined to end up. We wander.
We feel lost.
We hurt.
And on some days we hover ever so close to giving up. We walk along the ledge and skirt ever so close to the edge. And yet…we don’t ever totally slip. Nor do we really ever give up…because deep inside we know we are here with reason and for true purpose. We know this with more meaning and love that we can ever explain or express.
Now, of course, there is pain and torment and torture. Yet there is also love and joy and generosity. And also a significance in knowing something that words can’t truly explain. Yes….people come and people go. Life experiences mess with us. And they make us crazy and sad and insane. They cause us to grieve and hurt and seek places to hide our true selves.
But….eventually, a small number of us are blessed to discover and understand something that’s perhaps a little magic and a whole lot misfit. It’s an understanding that’s actually invisible to a great many others in this world. Yet, not to those who truly see it for what it is. Those of us who “get it”.
You see once we come to truly realize that we are misfits – as in 100% misfit; we know that this means we are indeed special. Perhaps even blessed. The moment that happens; it means everything and then some. We see it with a clarity that can’t ever be undone. And in that moment, other misfits see it too. Somehow we realize that we are here on this earth for some very specific reasons – even if we don’t yet understand exactly what those reasons are all about.
Ultimately we know that we have purpose. And we comprehend that we are able to speak a universal misfit language. One that is filled with peace, love, joy and generosity. And we know in our hearts that this is exactly who we are. And the true road we are meant to travel. Even on the hardest of days….we know this in ways we can’t even really explain. It just is.
And so my friend, if this is who you are, then what I want you to know is simply this:
I see you.
I hear you.
And I understand.
I know the fear, the pain and the darkness.
I know the hardest of days.
And the biggest of risks.
I live all of it too – in more ways than I can ever tell you.
But . . .
I also understand the joy and the excitement and the brilliance that exists deep within. I see it in you….because it exists within me too.
Now trust me when I say this:
You are perfect exactly as you are. And I mean exactly perfect. As in an amazing reflection on a lake that occurs just before sunset. You are simply and spectacularly awesome.
So stop.
Breathe.
Reflect.
And be.
Be you.
And choose to be with yourself.
Trust the reflection that you see.
And trust the very person that you are becoming.
Believe in your goodness.
And be patient when you find yourself in the the hardest of places and moments.
Because…they too shall pass. Always.
Know this:
Every single one of us misfits see the beauty that exists within you. We always have….and we always will. Misfits always see beauty in other misfits. Genius attracts genius. Brilliance attracts brilliance. Creativity attracts creativity. Values attract values. Trust this. Believe it. Know it. Live it. Misfits attract misfits. And individually and collectively the dent that we can make in the universe is larger than any of us can really ever comprehend.
So…as hard as it is. As hard as it gets. Never ever give up. Ever. Keep on believing. Every single moment. Trust that the hardest moments give way to the most brilliant breakthroughs.
Every.
Single.
Time.
As you lay your head down to sleep tonight realize this:
I see the beauty and the brilliance and the genius that exists within you. I see the artist and the creative. I see the pain and the sorrow. And the fear. I see all of it. I always have and I always will. And I’m here for you. I understand. Truly. In fact, we are all here. And we get it. We understand. All of us amazing misfits. Every single one of us. And we’ve got your creative, risk taking, artistic and beautiful back. All the way. Every single moment. Every hour and day. Every week and month. Year in and year out. We are here and we see you. And we believe in you. So my friend believe it. And trust it. We are with you now and we always will be.
You are a genius.
And you are beautiful and brilliant and creative and amazing.
Indeed. You are a misfit.
And you have no idea how thankful I am that you are you.
And I am me.
Jane Boyd is an educator based in Canada. Follow the link to learn more about her experience and the work she does with fellow misfits and colleagues in the education, business and community sectors.