Yes, I’m weird, I’m awkward, I’m a geek, but I’m me. I spent a large part of my life trying to be somebody else, trying to fit in, to please people. It didn’t get me anywhere. You can’t force people to like you any more than you can control the tides. It took me a long time to realise this and I still bear the bruises. So take me as you find me, my days of being a social chameleon are no more. Yes, I’m weird. Are you?
We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca.
We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised.
But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all.
We hope you enjoy the blog.
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I can totally relate – I have also spent years trying to be the person I thought other people wanted/needed me to be. It’s a recipe for disaster. I think if we’re completely authentic we’re all weird because we’re all unique. Weird is good! Who wouldn’t want to be weird? 😊 Great post!
I was next to Normal as a youngsters. Nearly ten years.
(This is a USA Midwest joke. My father worked at Illinois University from 1961 through 1970 which is located in Normal, Illinois. I tried to be punny.)
We are meant to stand out and not fit in. I can totally relate to the post. I have always felt a little weird because I had different interests and tastes than most people around me. It used to bother me as a child but now I embrace my quirkiness.
I’m definitely weird. When I was trying to decide whether or not I should make a ton of changes to a book I was writing, I read Kelly Cutrone’s book “Normal Gets You Nowhere”. I figured, my book is a little weird; the characters are animals instead of humans. I kept the characters in animal form. It’s weird, but I like it!
I thought of you the other day, Stephen. I was praying. And praying, and praying … There are a LOT of things I’ve committed to pray for daily, and I’ve stuck with them for years. With everything else clamoring for my attention, I felt conflicted and was telling the Lord a little sheepishly that I was probably being O.C.D. about my prayer commitment. I was wondering where the line is drawn between commitment and obsession. I can’t say for certain that it was the voice of God, but it occurred to me that “O.C.D.” can also stand for “Outstanding Commitment Detail.” Maybe people like us are the ones God can trust to stick with something after other people have said, “Eh … good enough.” What do you think?
P.S. I recently heard of something HUGE that is happening that I’ve been praying about for 15 years! I didn’t think I’d see the answer to those prayers in my lifetime, but through a set of “coincidences” I found myself at a meeting where I learned of some great things God is bringing about. 😀
Oh, I’m full on weird and kind of proud of it because I’m not sitting in some nursing home wondering about why are these old farts still living around me. Only kidding, I just try to keep my mind active and I feel younger when I’m learning new stuff all of the time. 😀
Our first household rile is that ‘Weird is normal” – which I suppose is counterintuitive, but it means that we are weird and we don’t care how others view it. I’m geeky, I like having my hair unusual colors, I don’t have “traditional” art, and so on. Being who we are, not who everyone else is, is the greatest gift. Just ask Oscar Wilde.
Makes me weird too! That’s okay, I have accepted that only those people who are on the same “soul level” as me will accept me and be my friend and that’s fine with me!
I’ve always been weird so I developed what I call “the suit”, a false personality for acceptability. A therapist helped me take it off about ten years ago. I don’t have many friends but I feel much better about myself.
Ah, it’s few the times we can celebrate our weirdness! I am incredibly weird, and to top it off I make random, often frightening facial gestures to unsuspecting friends and loved ones. It’s my Autism. I have to have a routine, but I can’t be bored. ADD. I suppose the weirdest thing about me is that I care not what anyone thinks-which comes at a price and one I am quite willing to pay. Happy birthday to your beautiful wife.
I swear to God I will make it to Ireland one day. That’s a threat, not warning. 🙂
Yes I’m weird, and my daughters take pride in owning that title. We all have our own way to travel and it’s nice to bump up against people who travel the same way sometimes.
Introvert. Which others perceive as weird, and admittedly, I feel weird myself at social gatherings…but makes us brainy and good writers…which my wife just so happens to dig!!! 😉
Black Thoughts 
I’m weird alright 🙂
It’s a great feeling. ❤
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Join the club 🙂
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😉
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Everyone has some different kind of weirdness including me
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“Weird” is another way of saying “unique,” so yes, you’re right. 🙂
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Yeah right
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Blessed are the weird for they are the seers of destiny.
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Most definitely 😉
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I can totally relate – I have also spent years trying to be the person I thought other people wanted/needed me to be. It’s a recipe for disaster. I think if we’re completely authentic we’re all weird because we’re all unique. Weird is good! Who wouldn’t want to be weird? 😊 Great post!
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The weirdest 🤓 and I’m glad to be in good company!
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Yes I am definitely weird, and getting weirder every day. I am making a point of allowing mtself to be weird. Life is short
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Definitely. Life IS better like that.
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I was next to Normal as a youngsters. Nearly ten years.
(This is a USA Midwest joke. My father worked at Illinois University from 1961 through 1970 which is located in Normal, Illinois. I tried to be punny.)
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Not weird would be awfully dull!
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Absolutely without a doubt.
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Words of wisdom. 😊
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Thank you
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We are meant to stand out and not fit in. I can totally relate to the post. I have always felt a little weird because I had different interests and tastes than most people around me. It used to bother me as a child but now I embrace my quirkiness.
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Thank you. Keep
Being you
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💘😉🤣
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I like to think I am a bit odd. I like others to think so as well! I have always found myself in the best of company.
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Ha Ha. True 😅
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I’m definitely weird. When I was trying to decide whether or not I should make a ton of changes to a book I was writing, I read Kelly Cutrone’s book “Normal Gets You Nowhere”. I figured, my book is a little weird; the characters are animals instead of humans. I kept the characters in animal form. It’s weird, but I like it!
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Yes, normal is boring. Blessings…
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I qualify!
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I thought of you the other day, Stephen. I was praying. And praying, and praying … There are a LOT of things I’ve committed to pray for daily, and I’ve stuck with them for years. With everything else clamoring for my attention, I felt conflicted and was telling the Lord a little sheepishly that I was probably being O.C.D. about my prayer commitment. I was wondering where the line is drawn between commitment and obsession. I can’t say for certain that it was the voice of God, but it occurred to me that “O.C.D.” can also stand for “Outstanding Commitment Detail.” Maybe people like us are the ones God can trust to stick with something after other people have said, “Eh … good enough.” What do you think?
P.S. I recently heard of something HUGE that is happening that I’ve been praying about for 15 years! I didn’t think I’d see the answer to those prayers in my lifetime, but through a set of “coincidences” I found myself at a meeting where I learned of some great things God is bringing about. 😀
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Absolutely
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I am absolutely weird! 🙂
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Me too 😊
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The best way to be and it keeps others wondering what will happen next. 🙂
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Absolutely I’m weird!
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Oh, I’m full on weird and kind of proud of it because I’m not sitting in some nursing home wondering about why are these old farts still living around me. Only kidding, I just try to keep my mind active and I feel younger when I’m learning new stuff all of the time. 😀
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We’re all weird in our own way. Thank God.
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I think there’s got to be some chameleon tendencies to be successful.
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You read my mind! ❤
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Our first household rile is that ‘Weird is normal” – which I suppose is counterintuitive, but it means that we are weird and we don’t care how others view it. I’m geeky, I like having my hair unusual colors, I don’t have “traditional” art, and so on. Being who we are, not who everyone else is, is the greatest gift. Just ask Oscar Wilde.
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Makes me weird too! That’s okay, I have accepted that only those people who are on the same “soul level” as me will accept me and be my friend and that’s fine with me!
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Totally! I reveal it in different situations, based on the receptivity! LOL! Learned from experience!
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I’m weird and awkward. But it’s so good to be myself now. 😀
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Good for you 👍🏻
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I’ve always been weird so I developed what I call “the suit”, a false personality for acceptability. A therapist helped me take it off about ten years ago. I don’t have many friends but I feel much better about myself.
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I am super weird. But I love being weird. I’m totally in your club.
Brilliant post.
–
Love Alexa,
https://AlexaJade.co.uk
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Thank you Alexa 🙂
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Stay weird, dude. That’s where the magic happens x
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I’ll do my very best 😉
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The world needs weirdos.
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Ah, it’s few the times we can celebrate our weirdness! I am incredibly weird, and to top it off I make random, often frightening facial gestures to unsuspecting friends and loved ones. It’s my Autism. I have to have a routine, but I can’t be bored. ADD. I suppose the weirdest thing about me is that I care not what anyone thinks-which comes at a price and one I am quite willing to pay. Happy birthday to your beautiful wife.
I swear to God I will make it to Ireland one day. That’s a threat, not warning. 🙂
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Thank you Sara. I love your weirdness. I hope you make Ireland as well. It’s a beautiful place ☘️
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Love to you and your lovely wife. Yes, I celebrate your weirdness as well. And be careful, I just might move in. 🙂
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Nope, I don’t think you’re weird at all. I think you are wonderful and wise and one of God’s many lovely gifts to us all.
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You’re very kind. Thank you 😊
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You’re so welcome, thinking of you and hoping all is well with you & yours. Stay safe.
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Love it! Truth worth digesting.
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Thank you 😊
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Yes I’m weird, and my daughters take pride in owning that title. We all have our own way to travel and it’s nice to bump up against people who travel the same way sometimes.
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We have a moral duty to embarrass our children at every possible opportunity 😂
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Introvert. Which others perceive as weird, and admittedly, I feel weird myself at social gatherings…but makes us brainy and good writers…which my wife just so happens to dig!!! 😉
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I’m very much the same as you, Donovan.
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