The Beauty of Different: Observations of a Confident Misfit

by Karen Walrond

Constantly bombarded with messages on how to think, how to feel, how to look, it can be very easy to fall into the mindset that we somehow fail as individuals, that we are not enough. But the truth is, those aspects of ourselves that make us individuals are actually the source of our own beauty, our super power. The Beauty of Different explores beauty in nine fresh ways and challenges the reader to revel in her own uniqueness. Combining beautiful imagery, portraiture, insightful commentary, essays, and interviews, this multisensory exploration of what is really beautiful provokes deeper self-discovery. Designed to connect and inspire, The Beauty of Different encourages the reader to reframe her differences, not as shortcomings, but as characteristics of distinction―maybe even superpowers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Self Help, Art, Psychology, Inspirational

251 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2010

About the author

Karen Walrond is the author of Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy & Raise a Little Hell, an investigation in how we can resist ageism and live a light-filled life along the way. She is also the author of The Lightmaker's Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy, which beckons readers towards lives of integrity, advocacy, conviction and joy. A leadership coach, activist and attorney, Walrond's writing and coaching have helped thousands of people around the world find meaning and purpose in their lives. By exploring the ways in which our assumptions might be made on false premises, Walrond shows us how we can tap into the lessons of past successes to create futures full of light.

Reviews

[Holly]

Gorgeous photography and short, easy-to-digest stories... very enjoyable.

[Sarah]

3.5 stars.

[Parthena]

A book about owning your different and letting yourself be your authentic self.

[Maggie]

The subtitle: "Observations of a Confident Misfit" is what really grabbed my attention. For a book about beauty this one really hits it's mark. The stories are real and the images are absolutely sublime. Each story and each real person highlighted offers up a few timeless truths, not just about beauty but about life in general. Each chapter explores different aspects of beauty by examining the beauty of individuality, of spirituality, of imperfection, of anxiety, of heartbreak, of language, of adventure, and of agelessness. Each and every chapter contains bits of wisdom to carry the reader forward in the daily practice and appreciation of true beauty.

I personally learned something valuable from the Episcopal priest, Patrick. His boxing analogy in particular was truly powerful. I've never been a fan of boxing, in fact it's rather safe to say that I hate the violence of boxing. It just doesn't make sense to me why two people would want to pummel either other to a pulp and call that a sport. Yet, his perspective offered up a different view and while I still don't see myself watching a boxing match, I sort of understand the sport a bit better. According to Father Patrick boxing is like life because . . .
* "you're gonna get hit." "Things are going to happen to us, and they're going to seem like they came out of nowhere, and they'll leave us stunned that they could've possibly happened in the first place. But this is life, man."
* "everything in the ring counts - nothing is wasted. You waste time, you fail to concentrate, it's over. For those three minutes in the ring, you can't quit. But it's okay, because you know that after three minutes, you'll have one minute where you rest. You'll get to go back to your corner and rest, and you'll be cared for by the people in your corner. . . . That's why you have to be sure to have good people in your corner."

That is simply a brief look at Father Patrick's spiritually rich boxing analogy and hopefully enough to demonstrate that this book is well worth the one evening it took to read.

[Gretchen]

The author is a photographer and motivational speaker. I greatly enjoyed both the photographs and the text – especially the photographs – her sense of light, color, and composition appealed to me. The text did also – it included interviews with people who have given themselves permission to be different, as well as passages describing the author's own differentness and personal philosophy. The book was engaging – drew me in effectively. As with all motivational speakers, I need to back off, though, and digest what they say. There was a kind of sameness about all of the interviewees that I can't quite put my finger on – it wasn't obvious – their lives were quite different. I think the sameness resided in their attitudes – their insistence on their right to be who they are – a sort of self–centeredness that is not necessarily a bad thing. They were, as depicted, not as multi–dimensional as I suspect they are in real life. This is probably because the book's purpose was to focus on a specific aspect of their personalities.

[Jennifer Jones]

I found myself reading this book in one sitting and throughout the entire book, I kept nodding and learning and thinking and wanting to post-it every few pages so that I can go over so many important aspects and lessons again and again. This book is a gift to any reader - one that deserves to be read again and again - since things in our lives are in such constant motion - what is happiness today may not make any sense tomorrow. Buy this book as a hostess or birthday gift - your relationships will strengthen when you pass this book full of messages to another and another.

[Phobean]

As blog-to-books go, these sorts of pondering, image-heavy inspiration books can come off choppy or without much focus. Karen Walrond's book, however, is unusual in that its focus lends itself to the form. As a "different" sort of person (aren't we all, truly?), her message resonated with me and I appreciated both the birds-eye-view and intimate approaches to telling the stories of people she's met. And of course, the over all message -value your uniqueness- is one most people just don't hear enough.

[Relyn]

I have this growing frugal streak. So, one of my frugal living rules is that I don't buy any book that I haven't read before and loved. It should be noted that our home is already full to bursting with over 2,400 books at last count. As you can see, this is not an unreasonable rule. Anyway. I have to have loved it, thought about it repeatedly, and be sure I will read it again.

I don't so much want to own this one as have it on hand to give to the many women I know who struggle with their own beauty. So, in a perfect world, I would own it and share it again and again and again.

[Anne Tinklenberg]

I loved the author's purposeful collection of stories and images portraying the ordinary and extraordinary beauty of the people and things around her. She was able to show the individual beauty of people whom I may not have looked twice at on the street. She didn't just wonder about the specialness of these friends, she asked them and discovered its origins. On a petty note, I found myself wanting to edit the conversations she included.

[Carolynne]

Excellent book about finding the beauty all around us. I can find beauty in nature very easily, but I find I often miss the beauty in other human beings. Karen, through her stories, interviews, and exceptional pictures, shows how each and every one of us is beautiful in some way and everyone has their own unique story. Something I will try to remember the next time that "jerk" cuts me off in traffic.

[Roxani]

It is cliche to call it that, but this is truly a beautiful book. It is more than a coffee table book; the images are sharp, poignant, and - you guessed it - different. The stories are compelling and inspiring. Karen Walrond gives us her creative soul here, and I could not feel luckier to have browsed the pages of her life.

[Misty Dawn Seidel]

I initially became a fan of Karen Walrond's writing and photography through her blog. She is an inspiration to me in so many ways, and I can't even begin to adequately explain her talent. I read The Beauty of Different on a plane trip, and when I finished, I immediately went back and started it again. This book is full of talent, inspiration, lessons, and, of course, beauty.

[Jessica]

This is one of those books that I will read, and re-read, and re-read. The insights never get old, and I always need to remind myself of them.

Everyone should read this book. The world would be a happier, more compassionate place.

[Nicole]

I picked this up for the photos, and it was worthwhile mostly for the photos. Some of the longer essays were interesting too, but for the most part the writing had a self-help tone that I generally dislike.

[Leigh]

Absolutely gorgeous book that explores the human condition through photography. Sounds pedantic but trust me, it works. The photos are amazing and the writing is very good. In some ways, this book reminds me of Freeman Patterson's essays and photography.

[Sarah]

Such an amazingly beautiful book - both the images and the essays. Amazing. Breath-taking.

[Jen]

This book is one of the best birthday presents I have ever received. I really enjoyed it.

[Dana]

Just got this yesterday. I can tell already that I am going to love this book. It is filled with beautiful pictures and wise words.



I've finished and I love the book! Great, soulful read.

[Natalie]

I really loved this book. Everything about it, the content, the photos, everything. I want everyone I know to read it.

[Laura]

The photographs in this book are amazing. I wish there had been more writing about the beauty of different, rather than so much autobiographical writing.

[Amalia]

Beautiful photos, wonderful stories and reflections. I keep this out on my coffee table because it's such a joy to simply pick up and leaf through.

[Colleen]

A BEAUTIFUL book - both in its images and its stories.

[Theryn Fleming]

I wrote about The Beauty of Different here.

[Karen]

Karen is a wonderful writer. She just has a way with words. This book is filled with stories of people and their differences that make them beautiful. The photography is also stunning.

[Marcia]

I've long been a fan of Karen's Chookooloonks blog and I loved the book too.

Beautiful pics and beautiful writing, inspiring us to appreciate differences.

[Karen]

Lovely photographs and stories of "different" people. It made me think about celebrating our differences a little more.

[Starr]

Beautiful book.

[Margi]

Somehow, I feel a little breathless, a little more ready to be who I am.

[Samantha]

A beautiful book. So much more than a photography book.

[Susan Halvor]

Such a lovely book... beautiful (in both photography and language), inspiring, grounding. Finding beauty in unexpected as well as familiar places.