Being Weird is a Wonderful Thing.
inspiration for living your truest self
Kathryn & Ross Petras
Workman Publishing New York
Contents
Introduction
Think youre a little wacky, kind of kooky? Well, were here to remind you that, as actor Meryl Streep said, what makes you different or weird, thats your strength.
Yes, this is a book specially created to celebrate what it means to be different. In other words, its for those of us who think were a little (or a lot!) weird... and like it!
Being Weird Is a Wonderful Thing is a collection of thoughts from a wide range of peoplephilosophers and activists, physicists and rappers, actors and poetsperfect for those times when you need inspiration or a cheerful reminder that youre perfectly (and imperfectly, for that matter) fabulous and dont need approval from anyone but yourself.
These quotes allow us to revel in our individuality and embrace our inner oddball. They encourage us to get in touch with our truest selves, to accept everythingfrom our strengths to our oh-so-human flawsthat makes us different from everyone else, to revel in our uniqueness, and to glory in our quirkiness. After all, as singer Ed Sheeran said, Being weird is a wonderful thing.
There are more than 7.7 billion people on Earth right now. But theres no one exactly like you. Isnt it time you celebrate that fact and allow yourself to be completely, unapologetically, and wonderfully weird?
If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.Maya Angelou writer
Dont you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you cant be exactly who you are.Lady Gaga
Singer/songwriter/actor
If you feel like a weirdo, its okay because weirdos rule the world.Aubrey Plaza comedian
I was made for another planet altogether. I mistook the way.Simone de Beauvoir
writer/social theorist
Everything is possible for an eccentric.Jules Verne Writer
Stop being who you were and become who you are.Paulo Coelho writer
To be nobody-but-yourselfin a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody elsemeans to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.e. e. Cummings poet
Always remember to see things in a new, weird way.Tim Burton director
Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.Miles Davis
jazz trumpeter/composer
Before you can give of yourself to others you must know what of yourself you have to give. Every person is special. In all the land there is only one you, possibly two, but seldom more than sixteen.Amy Sedaris comedian
I am not made like any of those I have seen; I venture to believe that I am not made like any of those who are in existence. If I am not better, at least I am different.Jean-Jacques Rousseau
philosopher
Be happy with being you. Love your flaws. Own your quirks. And know that you are just as perfect as anyone else, exactly as you are.Ariana Grande singer
I am a weak, ephemeral creature made of mud and dream. But I feel all the powers of the universe whirling within me.Nikos Kazantzakis
writer
If you have never been called a defiant, incorrigible, impossible woman... have faith... there is yet time.Clarissa Pinkola Ests
writer
Sing the melody line you hear in your own head. Remember, you dont owe anybody any explanations.Bono singer/songwriter
Best advice I ever got was an old friend of mine, a Black friend, who said you have to go the way your blood beats. If you dont live the only life you have, you wont live some other life, you wont live any life at all. Thats the only advice you can give anybody. And its not advice, its an observation.James Baldwin writer
To all those who feel different, if you are part of a group thats called other, a group that does not get the chance to be center stage, build your own stage and make them see you.Beyonc singer/songwriter
I like to be the right thing in the wrong place and the wrong thing in the right place. Being the right thing in the wrong place and the wrong thing in the right place is worth it because something interesting always happens.Andy Warhol artist
I will not apologize for my strength and the way it intimidates you. I will not tame my spirit and the way it howls. I will not be less.L. E. Bowman poet
Flaws are my favorite part of people, usually.Emma Stone actor
You really need to trust that youre on your own path and as long as you stay true to it and you show up; showing up is 90% of it.Jane Lynch actor