Embracing Uniqueness
Posted by Tomás Sebastián Seromik on Sep 22, 2011 at 12:28 am
Seth Godin’s latest book, We Are All Weird, was released yesterday, and Seth introduces us to the book on his blog. The idea of the book, as Seth puts it in his blog, is that times have changed so that there really is no “normal” anymore, at least not the way we conceive of it.
Normal is so ingrained in what we do every day that it’s difficult to notice that your tendency toward the normal is now obsolete.
What we need to do now, is embrace what is unique about ourselves so that we can make a difference. The important thing, I believe, is to make sure that this doesn’t amount to reckless individualism and rather tends toward a fulfillment of the person that God made each of us to be.
I haven’t read the book yet, but I look forward to it, and I’m sure any fans of Seth’s other books are going to be among the first as well. When you read it, give us your review and tell us what you think.
James A. Kramer
I recommend any religious periodical article about the late Rev. Fred Rogers, or the books on Fred Rogers by Tim Madigan or Amy Hollingsworth. In each there are long references to the friendship of Fred Rogers and Henri Nouwen. I believe that one can gain much from investigating this Protestant/Catholic friendship. I think there is a connection in the thought of Fred Rogers, Henri Nouwen, and Jean Vanier. It is a theology of “sacred uniqueness” that underlies the work of Fred Rogers. I submit that Fred Rogers was doing the theology of Henri Nouwen in his ordained ministry by the Presbyterian Church USA in Mister Rogers Neighborhood. I recommend viewing Fred Rogers: America’s Favorite Neighbor funded by PNC Bank and PBS and the 9 Hour Interview
online that can be watched via YouTube. I find much meaning in wearing a cardigan and tie, and act “neighborly” to others, and to remind people of Mister Rogers. I hear many wonderful stories from people as I go about my day. This is a way that I can do a personal evangelization