A friend of mine posted the above words on Facebook yesterday (it was Stephanie, my wife's high school friend, who looks a lot like Reba) and it expressed one of my deepest beliefs in a few simple words.

Stephanie/Reba

I do not love everything Beethoven did in his life, or even in all his music (the solo singing parts in his 9th symphony really suck, in my opinion), however, his genius changed the world of music, forever! 

Like the above words say, " He taught us to see the world through different eyes!"

When I listen to his music I start thinking the melody and notes are going in a "normal" direction, and then he shocks and amazes me by taking me to a place I never, ever imagined! 

I always liked the photographs of Van Gogh's paintings, it was clear to me that he was a great artist, however, it was not until I saw them in person, at the St. Louis art museum, that I understood the depth and power of his works. 

He would glob the paint on to the canvass to make it look three dimensional, the images pop out at you, and the texture and breathtaking color make them different from any paintings I've ever seen before!

Of course, we all know about his "odd" behavior, like when he cut off his own ear, but his imagination and skill changed the world of art.

John Lennon was known for outlandish behavior (like when he and Yoko laid in bed naked for peace), but he really didn't need to do that. He taught us peace through his remarkable music that was simple and profound at the same time. 

My friends are ALL "weird" people! Almost all of them are on YouTube, living in diverse places all over the world. I love them BECAUSE they are "weird." They are poets, misfits, troubadours, painters, writers, and mystics...like Bec! 

Maybe she's not a mystic, but she's close enough for me.

Dee Tom is an amazing artist and songwriter.

Cheryl Merritt (Yellow Rose) is one of the "weirdest" of all, because she has lived a difficult, challenging life, filled with sorrow and pain, and she is the brightest light of our YouTube family! 

She teaches us to see the world through different eyes....eyes of compassion, joy, peace, forgiveness, and humor.

When no one "likes" my posts on Facebook or my videos, she never fails to give me a glowing review! 

Her eyes see only the good things, and her ears hear only the good notes in my music. 

In today's world of anger, bitterness, rude behavior, disrespect, cruelty, and vanity, Cheryl is REALLY "weird" to be the awesome, caring woman she is! 

One of the first people I admired on YouTube was Yozie. (Yoz Creative) What first drew me to her channel was her fascinating, beautiful photography that captured nature, trains, urban areas, and often herself, however, what was really intriguing was she would never show her face! 

She would show the back of her head, far away shots, quick side glimpses, and it made me a bit obsessed about wanting to see her face! So much so, I wrote an improptu song about it.

By the way, Yoz finally did show her face, and she is beautiful, just as we all suspected.

One of the "weirdest," of my friends, according to the worlds standards, would be Michael Tomlins (AKA Gounderus)...a sweet, eloquent, passionate man, who is a wonderful actor, and the funniest guy on YouTube, in my opinion! 

If I wanted to write about a few people standing on a street corner, I would pick the unique looking people, with wild hair, playing a musical instrument, tattoos, or even a lonely looking elderly individual. It's the misfits, outcasts, and downtrodden that have the greatest stories.

They are the "weird" people "that teach us to see the world through different eyes!"