How often do you find yourself knowing—deep down—that you’re the outlier?
The one who sees differently.
The quiet elephant in the room.
In other words, do you feel different too?
That feeling has followed me more times than I can count.
But my time in Teri Leigh’s Creator Retreat Cohort has helped something settle. It clarified who I am. Who I’ve always been. And instead of resisting it, I’m finally at peace with that truth.
As I began writing this post, I noticed something unusual outside my window.
At first, it looked like a hornet’s nest with a strange flare beneath it. Curious, I stepped onto my front deck and snapped a photo with my iPhone. That’s the first image you see above.
Then I moved closer and took another shot. In that second photo, she’s turned her head—not toward me, but toward something else entirely. I imagine a mouse or rabbit held her full attention, not the giant human quietly observing from afar.
Hoping for a better photo, I slipped back inside to grab my Canon. As expected, the battery was dead. So I reconnected the battery pack and plugged in the charger.
“I’ll be ready next time,” I thought.
And then it clicked.
My final Mayan animal guide is Eagle, but before fully becoming Eagle, I identify as Hawk—watchful, focused, a little uncommon. If you’re unfamiliar with Mayan animal guides, I’ve written more about them (with links to discover your own) in My Mayan Animal Spirit Guides on my website and here on Substack.
Seeing the hawk while writing felt meaningful. Hawks aren’t common visitors here. She stood apart from the familiar songbirds—different, singular, unmistakable.
Being an outlier can feel lonely. But it can also be a gift.
The hawk was intent on survival—on finding her next meal. And in that moment, I realized I was doing the same thing in my own way: focusing on my life’s purpose.
Not everything is what it first appears to be.
About the Mayan Animal Spirit Guide Eagle, it’s said:
“These people are happy-go-lucky, generous, and intelligent. They create their own destiny and take full advantage of opportunities.”
That feels true to me.
I am emotional—and I am resilient.
I was valedictorian of my high school class.
Joining Teri Leigh’s cohort arrived unexpectedly, and I said yes.
I enjoyed a successful career as an IT professional.
My oil and watercolor paintings now hang in homes beyond my own.
Though I later studied computer programming, my undergraduate degree is in biology.
Different threads. One life.
Perhaps that’s what being an outlier really is—not fitting into a single box, but learning how to honor all the ways we are made.
Do you feel different too?
Do you notice nature like this too?
Does it help you listen more closely to yourself?
If this reflection resonated, I’d love to hear about it. Please consider becoming a subscriber—free or paid—and feel welcome to share what spoke to you in the comments.