I met a fellow whose father was a mail carrier in Modesto, California. Nearly every day he delivered science fiction magazines and comic books to a young guy who had graduated from high school, still living at home. The boy’s mother complained to the mailman, “He is living at home like a little boy.” The young man’s name was George Lucas, who went on to develop the mega-successful Star Wars series, and produced many other blockbuster movies. George’s fascination with science fiction was not a waste of time. He was planting the seeds of a career that changed many lives.
Around the same time in Hawaii, an overweight high school student regularly cut classes and sat outside the school building under a tree, singing and playing his ukulele. His teachers warned him that if he ever wanted to get anywhere, he should apply himself to his studies. He didn’t listen. Instead, he went on to become Hawaii’s most successful and beloved musician, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, affectionately known as “IZ.” Surely you have heard his touching rendition of “Over the Rainbow,” one of his multi-million bestsellers, used as a soundtrack for many motion pictures. IZ did not belong in the classroom. He was in his perfect place under the tree with his music.
A decade later, a young British woman took an office job as a researcher at the London branch of Amnesty International. After a few years she was fired for using the company computer for her personal writing. She then decided to turn her full attention to writing. Her name is J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, the bestselling series in the history of world literature. Rowling is the first and only person to become a billionaire through writing. Now she is wealthier than the King of England.
While we may be tempted to judge nonconforming people for not coloring within the lines, often they are headed in a direction that far outshines the coloring book they have been given. The people I cited were perfectly on track for an extraordinary destiny. When you reject someone for being an oddball, you are taking a very nearsighted snapshot of their life. Zoom out your view, and you may realize they are cultivating a blazing talent.
While you may worry that you are not on track with your best life, you may be headed in precisely that direction. It takes courage to be who and what you are in the face of criticism by people who don’t understand you. If you can trust that what you love to do is what you are meant to do, you will advance in ways far more powerful than attempting to dance to the expectations and demands of people who do not know you as well as you know yourself.
Take a moment now to consider where you greatest joy lives. Is it possible that you are being guided to maximize the quality of your life and help others do the same? George, IZ, and J.K.would like to cheer you on. In spite of appearances, you may indeed be on your path to greatness.
