Peculiar

What do you think of when you hear the word peculiar? Especially when in regard to a person?  Do you think being peculiar is a good or bad thing?

The word peculiar is an adjective whose meaning according to Miriam Webster is:

“Characteristic of only one person, group, or thing: distinctive, special, particular

Different from the usual or normal

Odd, curious

Eccentric, unusual 

According to Seth Godin in his book The Practice, “Of course, each of us is peculiar in our own way.” It is “an opportunity to bring our own experience and our own point of view” to the world. 

“We’ve been trained for a long time to hide that unique voice or to pretend peculiar.

it’s not there, because systems around us push us to conform.”

Seth Godin

Why would we be pushed to conform? There is safety in numbers. Someone who refuses to conform may be considered a threat. So many of our actions are hardwired into us. Think caveman here. 

I can’t help but be reminded that Jesus cautions us not to hide our light under a bushel. Each of us is made “peculiar” and should share our light with the world. 

Stop trying to hide what makes you