We all live in little worlds. Defined by values, boundaries, and a deep sense of what’s normal. But here’s the thing: what’s normal to you could be absurd to someone else.
Think about it. We’ve all met people who see the world in ways that leave us baffled. Flat earthers who deny science. Conspiracy theorists chasing shadows. Or even those whose values seem entirely at odds with our own. It’s easy to dismiss them as “weird.” But step back, and you’ll realize that what we call weird is simply a different map of reality.
The problem is, most of us never step back. We stay stuck in our own little maps, judging everything against the familiar terrain of our experiences. But the truth is, no one’s map is complete—not yours, not mine.
That’s what makes being human so complex. We’re all working with different maps, shaped by layers of belief, values, and blind spots. Some people’s maps are bold and risky; others are cautious and grounded. Some are driven by logic; others by emotion. And then there are the maps so far removed from our own that they seem downright incomprehensible.
Here’s the kicker: none of it is about agreeing with someone else’s map. It’s about acknowledging it exists. Perspective isn’t about approval; it’s about clarity.
Because when we let go of the need to make everything fit our definition of normal, we gain something far more valuable: the ability to see the world—and its people—for what they really are.
Messy. Layered. Beautifully human.
A Note on the Thread
This Burn was born out of reflections from the past few days—a period filled with frustration, self-discovery, and a deep realization of what it means to embrace who I truly am. It’s fascinating how creative expressions have a way of capturing those shifts, sometimes even before we’re fully aware of them.
Just recently, I wrote a song called This Is Me. It’s bold, unapologetic, and rooted in a joy that comes from owning all the pieces of who I am—the messy, the flawed, and the extraordinary. At first glance, it might seem unrelated to this Burn. But when I look closer, I see how they’re two sides of the same coin.
The song captures the joy of living freely, while this Burn reflects being human with your own world view.
What I’ve realized is this: the magic of life isn’t in fitting in or playing by someone else’s rules. It’s in embracing your layers, your quirks, and the thread that ties it all together. That thread? It’s you.
Here I am, take it or leave it.