Tonight I was listening to a podcast and had a revelatory moment.
Some people never try anything new. People who haven’t tried anything new in decades.
That isn’t me.
I have a compulsive need to try new things. To push limits. To take risks. To ask hard questions. To ask why, then to take the time to learn the answer. To ask why of people who have never asked the question of themselves.
There is a reason I have three graduate degrees in different disciplines, but also know how to weld, do woodworking, have written multiple books, have livestock, do hydroponics, am a ham radio operator, work on my own car, dabble in watch modification, play tuba, cook, have taken two years of cake decorating classes… the list goes on.
Is there any reason that I feel the crushing weight of imposter syndrome?
I earnestly seek to become an expert in everything that I do. Yet, I am an interloper. I don’t weld for a living. I don’t pastor a church. I am a jack of all trades, and master of a few.
Being an interloper does not make one an imposter. I’m not a chef. I didn’t go to culinary school. Yet, my skill set in the kitchen rivals that of most professional cooks. I might be in interloper in the culinary world, but I’m not an imposter.
I have played tuba semi professionally, the only person in my group who didn’t have a degree in music. Yet I held my own while playing professional level music. An interloper, but not an imposter.
I’m done playing.
I’m done feeling insecure.
I’m an interloper, not an imposter.
Funny thing about interlopers… They tend to change things. They don’t need validation from people in the industry. They don’t just think outside the box, they live outside the box… and sometimes we can’t even see the box. Sometimes I forget where the box even is.
I have no idea where this substack will go. I expect it will be a meandering journey. I have things I need and want to say. Things about the church. Things about life. Things about politics, philosophy, theology, business, entrepreneurship. Things that I haven’t even considered talking about.
If I offend you… too bad. My opinions are informed, and based on education, research, and evidence. That said, I can admit when I’m wrong. Challenge me. Bring your receipts. Let’s grow and learn together.