beautifully different.

December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)

What makes me different?...

In many situations, on an almost daily basis, my skin color makes me different. But that's not anything new. It's always been that way for me, oddly enough. I rarely even notice anymore.

I grew up in the hood. All of the neighborhood kids would tease me for "talking proper." Even there, I guess I was different. It was aggravating.

My name makes me different. I hated my name when I was a child. I liked absolutely nothing about it. No one could pronounce it or spell it, and my last name was weird. I didn't like my middle name either.

I liked reading books and listening to classical music, things that none of the other kids around me particularly liked. Annnd I got teased for it.

I have a random dent in the right side of my head. I am not sure it was always there; the first time I ever noticed it, I was in the seventh grade. It is rather odd. Certainly different.

I was definitely different when I lived in Mexico, but not so different that people did not assume I was Latina. I was always asked if I was Cuban or Panamanian. It was amusing.

And now, I have reached a point in my life (does it happen to everyone when they reach their mid/late 30's?) where I actually appreciate everything that makes me different. I don't mind "talking proper." I have learned to live with the dimple in my temple. And I love my name, even if, for the rest of my life, I will be referred to as Natalie or Madeline every time I introduce myself to someone new. I love my middle name equally as much. Both of my names have stellar meanings, and I am stoked that my parents gave them to me. And my maiden name? Makes it very easy to search my family history, since it's so uncommon. In fact, there is a very real chance that I am related to every person that shares my maiden name. A welcome, beautiful difference.

As for what I do that makes people light up, I would like to think that the answers to that are: smile, laugh, hug, sing, joke, and show up.