Understanding.

“Hey there, weird kid in your high-top shoes

Sitting in the back of the class; I was just like you

Always left out, never fit in

Owning that path you're walking in

Mr. Misunderstood, Mr. Misunderstood.”

If you grew up in a perfect world, where everything went your way, good for you. Most of us reading, “Snap. Shot.” did not!

Recently, like yesterday, I was talking with my best friend from high school. Yes, it’s been a long time since those days, but we talk frequently and even though we touch on topics which are more applicable to how we were back in high school, in the end who really cares? 

Somehow it came up that my friend recently met the cousin of our high school valedictorian; this kid was not only popular, but president of the class, friendly, smart, good looking, and no one, I mean no one disliked him. If they did, they would never have admitted it. What did he and I have in common? Absolutely nothing. Sure, I was quasi-intelligent, but I went to Mizzou and he went to Harvard. He paid very little for his education, and the only reason I did the same was because Mizzou was in-state and my parents paid for it. (It was very inexpensive compared to today’s ridiculous tuition rates.)

During my formative years, when others would study preparing themselves for the world, I perfected talking on the phone and driving with my 3 best friends on Olive Street Road in St. Louis. We were really good by the way!

Fortunately I made it to a place—probably against some odds—but it’s those who were lost and remain that way who we should worry about. There has been enough tragedy in the news recently; something drove them to the edge. 

Being left out,and taking a different path, is hard; but if you look at many of the people we look up to today, you will find many were truly “Misunderstood.” But what about those from long ago?  If you have been on Facebook or any other social media, you just might be surprised when you look to see what has become of those who were so fortunate so many years ago. Some have remained fortunate…and you can probably guess the other option for others. These were the influencers who molded us—funny how life takes a turn.

As we enter the holidays, watch some of the videos available online; there are many that reflect how a nice gesture brings about a very big difference. Making a difference in someone’s life, whether you know them or not, is something that can never be misunderstood.

The photo above was taken in Colorado this past fall—-it reminds me, when we all work together, no individual is all that different.

Thanks for stopping by.