Oscar Wilde. Aleister Crowley. Poe. Brian Jones. Quentin Crisp. Even Jesus. Outcasts, all.
The most interesting and refreshing people I have met and have read about were always outcasts. People who were themselves, despite the wagging finger of society and “acceptable behaviour”. In a world where the masses are asses, I’m proud to say that I have never fit in. Thankfully.
And alien tears will fill for him
Pity’s long-broken urn,
For his mourners will be outcast men,
And outcasts always mourn.
My favorite people in life are all outcasts, I think. The ones nobody wants to love are, in fact, the most lovable. They may not be brilliant or beautiful or wealthy, but they are often deeply caring, funny, and good.
Sometimes others are rejected because they are dangerous or bad, but sometimes they’re rejected just because they’re different, as if different were bad. The only thing I know for sure is that “Normal” is a dryer setting. Trying to fit another’s mold of normalcy doesn’t make you normal, it just makes you unoriginal. How much better to be original!
And you, my friend, are original. In uncountable, wonderful ways.
Original. I like that. Mad, Bad & Dangerous to know. But honestly, thank you. You’re one of my favourite people too, and I would NEVER lower myself (and you) by calling you normal. Noble is a word I would say. And in light of recent events you’re dealing with, more so than ever.
The only thing that sustains one through life is the consciousness of the immense inferiority of everybody else, and this is a feeling that I have always cultivated.
Oscar Wilde
Kimberly!! Mhahahaaaa, when are you moving????
Excellent post my friend, and one which is so inscribed deeply within us like a scar joyfully scratched into one’s soul. What lies at the bottom of the herd-mentality – mediocrity, the fear of beauty and the self-disgust of restricting themselves. Away with these shrouded and hate-filled wraiths!!!!! One must have their hand clutched tightly with the beautiful Eris, chaos within to give birth to the dancing stars that we are.
“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself”. – Nietzsche
“A gentleman will walk, but never run” – Quentin Crisp
Be well my friend, hope things are good with you.
Alannah xx
Alannah,
You have style. You are unique. You are beautiful. And you are a valued friend. Now, invite me to SCOTLAND already. Hurry.
Peter, the door is always open for you my dear friend, consider yourself invited. xx
It’s the ones that are shunned by society and others who are the lucky ones. Lucky to have the ability to turn into themselves, to learn and understand who they are and not who they are changed into by societal pressures. They stand out because they don’t conform, because they want to be who they are.
“Normal” people are mostly what society has created, no individualism, no creativity, no life. The outcasts tend to live life with a little more flavor once they adjust. For some it’s hard accept being the different one but it does get better.
Viva La Difference!
Hi Peter, great post. This reminded of a quote by Thoreau from “Economy”,1854; “Public opinion is a weak tyrant compared with our own private opinion. What a man thinks of himself, that is what determines, or rather indicates, his fate”. What you say is so true of free thinkers and creative souls who fill the world of art and literature with their bounty. So many people, though, are stifled in their youth by pressure from parents, teachers, and peers, to fit in, conform, and be like everyone else. They are made to feel bad about themselves and ridiculed for doing things “differently” if they do not “conform” to society’s or religion’s mandates of what is “normal”. Its sad to see so little value placed on being creatively rebellious. By that I mean allowing ourselves and our children to indulge in curiosities and interests in full swing without being made to feel guilty so each and every person can develop into their true self. I sometimes feel as though I have to be a hermit and just get away from everything in order to nurture and self motivate my own creativity at times. If you’re not careful you can get swallowed up in the world of mediocrity. Also it is not always easy to find other like minded “outcasts” to network with. Often they too are living in quiet rebelliousness, making art (whatever it is for them) in their own way.