By Marjorie Young

The recent Academy Awards featured a number of memorable moments, but for me there was one that particularly resonated; the acceptance speech of Graham Moore, winner of best adapted screenplay for ‘The Imitation Game.’ He began with praise for Alan Turing, the film’s hero, whose genius broke the Nazi Enigma code. Though saving millions of lives, Turing was later persecuted for being gay, eventually taking his own life. Moore confessed that he had attempted suicide at sixteen, believing he would ‘never fit in.’ Yet now, he had reached the pinnacle of his career. Moore reassured other ‘misfits’ they would ultimately find their place in this world, fervently urging them to ‘stay weird.’

There are countless others who feel like aliens amidst their peers or families. Some who are gay face that crucible, but alienation is hardly confined to them alone. Anyone who ‘marches to the beat of a different drummer’ undergoes similar trials, believing they are too freakish or odd to ever gain acceptance.

This ‘affliction’ is something with which I can readily identify. I’ve always felt ‘different’ and clearly divergent from my parents or siblings; akin to being tuned to a frequency no one else was listening to. Though spiritually inclined and psychic, I was raised in a setting where such things were rarely discussed. Though this proved a trial, I luckily never found myself wishing to ‘be like everyone else.’ Clearly, I wasn’t! Instead, I embraced my differences, finding my situation liberating. And luckily, I never required ‘validation’ from others. Instead, even as a child, I counted the days until I could claim independence, seizing it at seventeen and never looking back.

Consequently, my years spent in Tokyo proved especially fulfilling. No matter how fluent I became in Japanese or how familiar I grew with local customs, I would eternally remain a ‘henna gaijin’ (weird foreigner). I never resented this; quite the contrary. Knowing it would prove impossible to ‘conform’ only served to free my spirit, allowing me to explore my unusual gifts and off-beat interests with gusto.
Beyond this, I accepted the actuality that few would ‘understand’ me. Why should they? We often demand acceptance from those unlike ourselves, requiring they ‘surrender’ and admit we are right! Instead, we should seek peaceful coexistence (when possible) while remaining true to our own vision. Remember the obvious truism that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Too many use lack of approval as an excuse for not taking charge of their own lives. We are not politicians required to take an opinion poll at every turn. Instead, we should become captains of our own ship, charting our most authentic course which others may or may not choose to validate.

For those who don’t easily fit in, it’s helpful to remember that every ‘oddball’ from Archimedes to Lady Gaga enjoy their share of detractors. Be assured others on your wave-length are out there and trust you will eventually cross paths. Meantime, stay true to your heart and spirit and wonderful things will follow. And above all, stay weird!

Marjorie is available for readings at the Ballard Sunday Market, her Ballard home, or by phone.
Please email her: myballardpsychic@gmail.com
See her fantasy/adventure series: www.theboywithgoldeneyes.com
Follow her on Twitter: @psychicmargie