Oct

20

Karen Walrond: The Beauty of Being Different

Are you different? Do you sometimes feel as if you do not fit in? Or perhaps try too hard to fit the mold? If so, thats “The Beauty of Different”.

Karen Walrond, a keynote speaker at Blogalicious 2009, tried to fit the mold for several years. She followed the pattern most of us were taught: attend college, obtain a degree(s), join the workforce and climb the ladder. By society’s standard she had achieved the American Dream. She was prosperous, earning a salary most of us would envy, with material goods that many of us will never see. Yet was she happy? No. She cried every morning before going to work, had anxiety and wasn’t centered. Worth it? Not on your life.    

Karen was different. She felt it. Others did as well. As she stated, “I wasn’t what they expected.” Yet this difference made her stand out. It wasn’t a detriment because she didn’t let it become one. Do you?

Look around you.

What do you see?

I see people of all shapes and sizes, rushing through life, racing to get to the finish line. A line that never seems to get any closer then it was before they started the race. The money, the cars, the houses all seem to get grander as they shrink and shrivel.

What do you see?

I see a select few, daring to be different. A pep in their step, a radiant smile, a joy that cannot be absconded. They do not race along or wear the masks. They are a splash of color in a world of gray. They. Are. Different. 

What do you see?

Look in the mirror.  Embrace yourself.

Then dare to be different,  dare to be beautiful, dare to be you. 

 
Luncheon and afternoon keynote by Karen Walrond was sponsored by  Disney Interactive Studios.

About the Author

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Migdalia Rivera, also known as Ms. Latina in social media, is a single Latina mother of a teen, tween and 2 Australian Shepherds. When not blogging, or chasing after her energetic bunch, she connects influential bloggers with brands and PR agencies via her blogger network, Stiletto Media.

Facebook Comments

{ 8 comments… add one }

  • Avatar ThatsSoYummy October 20, 2009, 8:01 am

    Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

    I found that I started tearing up at what you wrote and could really feel the emotion and words. Just like I felt it the day Karen spoke at Blogalicious09.

    I think we all as women, feel this way and asks ourselves are we different and if so we sometimes try to shy away from it.

    I am proud to say that I am different and what I bring to the world is something I hope everyone can see and embrace.

    Much love!!!!! See you in Miami! 🙂

    Thank you for reminding me of that and to always embrace it!

  • Avatar Nik October 20, 2009, 11:26 am

    Love it!

  • Avatar Sabrina October 20, 2009, 12:45 pm

    So touching yet so true. Thank you for the words of encouragement!

  • Avatar Sandra (hicksgirl93) October 21, 2009, 12:25 am

    I loved her speech at blogalicious too. It was so encouraging. Thank you for the reminder, we all have to march to the beat of our own drum and love it.

  • Avatar Amanda Starr October 25, 2009, 2:26 pm

    Thank for posting this! All my life I have not only felt different but everyone has told me so (and sometimes not so nicely) This is a good reminder that it’s ok. To embrace it and love it.

  • Avatar Karen Walrond October 25, 2009, 5:21 pm

    Oh, thank you for the lovely shout out!

    K.

  • Avatar Ananda Leeke October 29, 2009, 2:19 pm

    I loved what you wrote Ms. Latina. I needed it for today. Karen is an amazing source of inspiration. You are too.

  • Avatar Stephanie LaPlante November 3, 2009, 7:06 pm

    I believe that if you accept your flaws, you can make them beautiful. I grew up being very different. I was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy confining me to a wheelchair. Oddly enough, instead of being sad, I didn’t think I was different enough lol. So I decided to go crazy and “pimp my wheelchair”. I believe I’m a unique individual and I’m very proud to be different. If you want to check out my chair, feel free to go on my facebook. I love it! <3

    Stephanie Brenda LaPlante

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