Image by oxfam international via Flickr
Written by Karen D. Swim
Earlier this week, I watched the TV Show, Private Practice. I was struck by one particular scene in which two characters, Dr. Cooper Freedman and Dr. Charlotte King were discussing a case. The two are dating and below is the transcribed excerpt (Please note that I am not a transcriber so I may not have captured every word perfectly).
Cooper (looking very mopey) :I have a kid with a big head and there’s nothing wrong with him except that he’s going to be ridiculed, mocked and looked down on for the rest of his life.
Charlotte: And that’s your fault?
Cooper: No that’s just me I’m the one who doesn’t fit in, who’s going to be the first out of the practice because they don’t want me on their team anymore. I have a big head.
Charlotte: Oh my god you’re pathetic. You are crazy and pathetic! Big head’s not a problem, it’s a virtue moron. You know who had a big head? Lincoln, JFK, Elvis, Einstein, plenty of people had big heads and they don’t sit and mope that they have big heads so don’t you sit and mope that you’re a pediatrician. Do your job, do it well and screw everyone else. You’re the big head kid, more power to you!
Do you ever feel like you’re the big head kid? The kid who sticks out like a sore thumb because they don’t effortlessly blend in with the crowd. The kid who hangs his head to the ground when teams are being picked, so afraid he’ll be last because no one wants him. The kid who tries to affect an air of confidence while inside she’s quivering like a bowl of jello?
I know I do. There are times that I feel like I don’t fit in or am not as successful or talented as my peers. I get insecure about my worth and accomplishments and like Cooper agonize and mope over my big ole head. it happens to the best of us. We all have moments of doubt, if we’re honest. We wonder what others think of us, if they think we’re good enough to be on their team. Are we as smart as our peers, colleagues, family members? Do we deserve to be on the team or are we the weak link, guaranteed to be kicked out to make room for someone more worthy?
Here’s the good news. You are different. We’re all different. We all have something, a big head, big ears, whatever. If you’re in that place today, where you are not feeling your own press, embrace your big head and let’s roll! You’ve got a big head. It’s not a fault, it’s a virtue. It makes you unique and different. Your goal is not to fit in, to be just like everyone else. You have got a big head. It’s your thing, leverage it. As the character, Charlotte said, do your job and do it well.
YOU are the big head kid. More power to you! Now, let’s roll big head we’ve got worlds to conquer!
I hope you all have a great weekend and please mark your calendar for Monday, October 27th. I am proudly hosting Published Author and Editor, Lillie Ammann on her book blog tour. Lillie will be sharing words of wisdom that are guaranteed to inspire anyone who has a dream. Lillie has also graciously agreed to give away a copy of her brand new book, Dream or Destiny to one lucky Words For Hire reader. The winner will be randomly selected from commenters. So please drop in on Monday, and leave a comment for Lillie. And please share it with friends too! The post should be published by 8 am EST.
Be well,
Karen aka “Big Head”
Karen Swim says
Luke, I would argue that you are fearfully and wonderfully made which truly makes you extraordinary. 🙂 But, I get your point, you’re balanced, even tempered, drama free, dude for many that is so far from ordinary it would be considered stratospherically phenomenal.
Luke Gedeon says
Having something unique or at least unusual about you is a great asset. I gives people a way to remember you and put a name with a face.
My unique, unusual, and memorable feature is that I am extraordinarily normal, average, unremarkable, and well… ordinary.
I am medium in height, build, hair color, name length, intelligence, rate of speech, and just about anything else you could think of.
And my name fits perfectly. Luke as in lukewarm.
Karen Swim says
Hey Everyone! Sorry for the late responses! I wasn’t feeling well on Friday and had to duck out early. I cannot tell you how cheered I was by all of your responses. With your support, I am happy to be a big head!
@Heather, it’s funny how we have to remind ourselves of that as adults from time to time. Logically we don’t want to be like everyone else but we also don’t want to stick out!
@Joanna, ROFL! You are such a dear friend and this really gave me a good laugh! xo
@Lillie, thank you so much!! I am so excited about Monday too and thrilled to be the first stop! 🙂
@Evelyn, I am grinning from ear to ear. You are such a dear, sweet woman and I am hugging your words to my heart! Thank you for that gift today. I adore you Evelyn!
@Brad, if I had known you in school I would have been your friend! You’re a great guy who’s big head holds so much talent. 🙂 More power to you my friend!
@Michele, LOL! Without big mouths the world would be silent and boring *wink* Cheers to your virtue! 🙂
@Ulla, sending you hugs! I am glad that lesson was learned. Different is special and you’re right it’s what we make of those differences that determines how people treat us. Even now if you think you’re not as good as your peers, if you embrace what you don’t know and reach out, people will help. Thank you Ulla for the wonderful reminder.
Ulla Hennig says
Karen,
that was one of my experiences at school, too – the girl, that didn’t fit in. But I often wonder whether I didn’t support my not-fitting-in with my actions – instead of saying “Well, here I am, I want to be part of the group” I retreated, felt myself thrown out but in fact threw myself out. I learned that whenever I made a step forward, I was accepted with no problems.
Thanks for the post!
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..The last Flowers of the Year
Michele says
What an excellent post, Karen! You really come up with some humdingers, ya know?! 😉
Hmmm…. guess I’d have to say I have a big mouth!
*giggles*
Michele
Micheles last blog post..Guest Post: Even Writers Need to Back Up
Brad Shorr says
Karen, Good luck to you and Lillie on the book tour – look forward to checking it out. When I was a kid, I was the biggest one around. It made me extremely self-conscious – created a lot of angst that is still rumbling around in my psyche somewhere or other. But then you remember everybody is that big headed kid one way or another, and life is beautiful again!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..What Can the Stock Market Crash Teach Us about Marketing?
Evelyn Lim says
Karen, you have the most amazing posts!! You have the gift of using just about any personal experience whether it is a show, or memory or anything, to churn out key learning lessons for your readers.
I don’t like to write “great article” in all my comments to other people’s posts. But in all sincerity, yours is (for today) and typically are in yesterday’s and the day before and the day before….)!!
Your head may be swelling now with pride, I don’t care. Lovingly, more power to you too, Big Head!!
Lillie Ammann says
Great post, Karen. From time to time, all of us feel like we don’t fit in. We’re different—we don’t belong. Thank you for the encouraging and inspiring message that being different is a virtue.
I’m so excited about my visit here on Monday! Thank you so much for hosting the first stop on my blog book tour.
Joanna Young says
Hi big head girl, what a wonderful post for a Friday!
Have a fabulous weekend
Joanna
x
Joanna Youngs last blog post..How To Use Your Web Influence Wisely
Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM says
Karen,
Excellent post… it really is true and the differences between everyone is what sets them apart.
Karen Swim says
Hi Steve, thank you! I’m so glad you mentioned 3rd Rock! I could not for the life of me think of it this morning. LOL! I’d love to see your cartoon, I already like the set-up. Thanks for sharing the laugh with me Steve and I hope you have a great weekend too!
Steve says
Great post! Glad I’m not the only who feels this way sometimes. I actually drew a cartoon along similar lines except instead of a big head, I was a pair of white socks in a tuxedo world.
BTW, your post title made me think of the old NBC show, “3rd Rock” when there would be an incoming message from “The Big Giant Head.” made me laugh.
Have a nice weekend.