In a World of Evens, You Have To Be ODD

Looking back, I realize my grandfather’s strongest belief was that in a world of Evens, you had to be ODD.

To my grandfather, “ODD” was not a negative word — just the opposite. He understood that trying to be like everyone else was poison. He believed that he and I and everyone else on this planet was one of a kind. In order to live a happy life, you had to first be true to yourself. He would often say, “Look within you and discover your Wizard of ODD.”

My grandfather and his belief in ODDITUDE gave him a lust for living that enveloped everyone around him. There was an honesty about him that made people feel excited about being alive. You wanted to be around my grandfather because, when you were, you felt better about life. You felt better about yourself.