While listening to “Brain Damage” by Pink Floyd, it got me thinking about Lunatics. The origin of the word lunatic is “luna” or moon; being moonstruck. It can mean crazy, but it can also mean dreamily romantic.
What if the people that our society calls eccentric or “loony” have the most profound lessons for us?
In the recent movie “Alice in wonderland”, young Alice is concerned, asking her father if he thinks she’s gone “round the bend”. Her father reassures her, “Oh yes, I’m afraid so. You’re completely bonkers…but here’s a little secret…all of the best people are.”
Our history is rich with people who were ridiculed or even punished for their “crazy” ideas, well, until they were considered brilliant. It was probably a “lunatic” who first dreamed we could go to the moon, and then made it happen.
I have a friend who is a 91-year-old working artist. She can easily be described as an eccentric, and she is absolutely inspiring! She says and does the silliest things, but that is what makes her such a pleasure to be with. She makes me want to live my life more fully…to take chances outside of the box.
What if we stopped knocking the people who are moonstruck and started appreciating them, cherishing their gifts, and even being one of them?
What if rather than turning DOWN our eccentricity, we cultivated it, and brought it to the light? The old ways are done. The new paradigm is about innovation and creativity, now is the time!
What “crazy” ideas do you have and how will you share them?