Pieces of Oddities

To be called odd, is frankly, a high compliment. After all, oddity means rare, and rare means unique. It has been my experience that to make any sort of progress in life, you have to be a bit odd. Swim against the current, if you will. Opposite the phrase, "go with the flow.''

I think we all have a unique purpose, talent, or gift that we are meant to share with the world. It is a beautiful thing to embrace what makes us beautiful and special, in the way God designed us to be.

Looking through the centuries, there are so many books, quotes, and stories by those who were considered ''odd'' by peers and scholars. I myself am drawn to those so deemed odd, and in some cases the lesser known of the category.

Writing is a glimpse into someone else's mind, thoughts, and their soul even. And while we may not understand, or even disagree, there is still a sense of wonder and awe in their art.

Edgar Allen Poe was considered odd, as was Vincent Van Gogh, yet both are highly regarded for their accomplishments and contributions.

Alice in Wonderland, a very weird story, is a classic children's novel despite the oddities included. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, also makes for an interesting read.

Since I have found that the more odd and unorthodox people and their writing are the most thought provoking, I thought I would share some of these. After all, every unique idea came from someone looking outside the box and creating something new. This is illustrated well by the quotes below. I hope they pick your thoughts as well as they did mine.

''For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.''

-Vincent Van Gogh

''To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.''

-Oscar Wilde

''I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.''

-Alice in Wonderland

''Whether it's a painting, sculpture, photograph, poem, or song, the very best artwork comes from being absolutely honest.''

-Chelsea Stark

''Reality is frequently inaccurate.''

-The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

''There is no exquisite beauty... without some strangeness in the proportion.''

-Edgar Allen Poe

''A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.''

-The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

''I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.''

-Socrates

''We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.''

-Aristotle

''The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.''

-Aristotle

''To see a world in a grain of sand

And Heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And eternity in an hour.''

-William Blake

''Is this the real life?

Is this just fantasy?

Caught in a landslide,

No escape from reality.''

-Queen (Bohemian Rapsody)

''And I don't want the world to see me

Cause I don't think that they'd understand.

When everything's made to be broken.

I just want you to know who I am.''

-The Goo Goo Dolls (Iris)

''Look at the stars beneath my feet

Remember rights that I did wrong.''

-James Blunt (Same Mistake)

''Far above the moon

Planet Earth is blue

And there's nothing I can do.''

-David Bowie (Space Oddity)