Proud To Be Peculiar
I am not normal β just ask anyone who has ever met me.
The words used to describe me tend to fall on the more colorful side of the spectrum: unusual, weird, bizarre β and those are the ones that are βuser-friendly.β I have been called much worse.
I am willing to accept these descriptions because I do tend to walk to a different beat. I guess you could say that I am proud to be peculiar.
It was during church one night that I received biblical confirmation of just how βoddβ I am. It was not a burning bush. The clouds did not part and a dove did not descend from the sky.
My pastor did speak words that ignited my passion never to be βordinary.β He stood in front of the congregation and asked, βWhat kind of people are we called to be?β The answer he read came from Titus 2:14.
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all inquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.β – from Titus 2:14
I could barely hold myself in my seat as the pastor proclaimed the words over the congregation. I knew they were for me. The pastor then looked at me and smiled. βYou have that one down, donβt you?β
He got that I got it β and I was thrilled that even the pastor recognized my leaning towards the peculiar so much that he announced it to the rest of the congregation.
I might should have been a little offended when the people around me nodded their heads in agreement with the pastorβs declaration of my peculiarity. Instead, I held my head high at the label of βdifferent.β Peculiar is my way of life.
Webster offers one definition of peculiar as exclusive. I would have to confess that I like being in the exclusive club of peculiar. I embrace the idea. I relish in the location. I invite you to join me. This is your chance to be βa peculiar peopleβ and join the exclusive few who live in and live out the Peculiar Club.
There are few requirements and some of you may already be a part of the club without knowing it.
Dare to Be Peculiar Club
- Those of you who let the lady with a couple of items go before you in the checkout line β you can join.
- Those of you who gather up all the stray shopping carts in the parking lot β you can join.
- Those of you we have ever been caught singing out loud in the elevator or in the aisles of the store β come on in.
Look around. You may discover that not only are you already a βpeculiar peopleβ but that there are lots of us wandering around this world.
The club is open β just put others first, take action with a joyful heart, and dare to be the unique you that you were designed to be in the first place. The benefits of being a part of the Peculiar Club go above and beyond anything you can think or imagine.
What are you waiting for? Dare to be Peculiar today!
Peculiar, according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, means:
1) Unusual or eccentric; odd
2) Distinct and particular
3) Exclusive
I would say these all describe Kathy. And you know what, that’s okay. Because I’m pretty peculiar, too.
I have been known to allow people in front of me in the grocery store, even giving someone some much-needed change they were short at the time. They look at me like I’m a complete nut, but are thankful for the unexpected help. I also have been known to grab a cart out of the middle of the parking lot and taking it in the store with me instead of taking one so cheerfully offered as I enter the store.
Being peculiar is something that everyone should seek to attain. It’s not difficult like trying to earn a degree or maintain a 4.0 GPA. It’s not impossible like losing those last 10 pounds that you gained last year during Christmas. It just takes listening to the sound of your own heartbeat and moving to the beat that your heart sets.
People might think you’re odd. They might think you’re weird. I’d much rather be thought of as “odd” or “weird” than to not be thought of at all. I would rather have someone think that I’m a little goofy than to be thought of as a “stick-in-the-mud.” I can think of worse things to be thought of as being, and probably have been.
I’ll gladly join Kathy in the “peculiar” club. I hope you’ll join us, too.