Blessed Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives

Follow your bliss and the money will follow.

You won't find that phrase in this book. In fact you find pretty close to the opposite - if you don't follow your bliss, your cause, your passion, your purpose, will eat you alive (see especially page 98).

Nordby's core assumption is not only that every single one is necessarily creative - if not "weird" - but that every individual's creativity is essential - not only for each one of us, but for all of us as humans sharing a world that seems adrift in more ways than can be counted.

At first, my thought was that in the era of a President Trump, a book like this is the ultimate distraction, a clarion call to an earlier, more innocent age when many of us imagined that progess, justice and human decency were inevitable and ascending.

The election of Mr Trump has shown us all too vividly, that decency, justice, even civilisation itself is not inevitable or even stable.

We must fight for our humanity on a level and to an extent most of us never imagined would be necessary. I used to think that a book like this was a luxury - just another self-help book with a focus on the unreached and barely recognized immense potential within each one of us.

But no, this book is personal. And urgent.

Nordby inisists that every one of us is, by his definition, an artist. We may not use the tools and skills of traditional artists, but we all build, construct and innovate our way through our lives.

"An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo" (page 96). And the status quo, never very satisfying, is proving itself even more stultifying than before. Mr Trump's philosophy seems to be that everything, from our national parks to our humanity is for sale to the highest bidder and war (or the threat of war) is the solution to every problem.

Our national identity used to be one of welcoming - remember the bright flame and call to freedom and safety from our Statue of Liberty? Anyone remember living in "the land of the free and the home of the brave"?

We have somehow become a land riven with fear and calling for a bully to protect us from a mean and scary world.

But we will not find peace there. Jacob Nordby reminds that the only peace to be found is found within - not from experts, or political agendas or even belief systems.

No, this book is not a luxury; depression, numbness and fear are luxuries - luxuries we cannot afford. Tyranny, cowardice and deception are only possible if we welcome - or even embrace - them with our apathy and distraction.

Following your bliss does not mean the money will follow. In fact sometimes following our bliss leads to discouragement, alienation, even persecution or harrassment. But it is the rough, tangled and sometimes brutal journey to wholeness and self-discovery.

Nordby calls this book a manifesto - and maybe it is, but I think of it more like a declaration - a declaration of independence within reach of each one of us - no budget, no special experience and no prerequisites required - just a step into the inherently unique and unknowable tomorrow that lies in front of each one of us.
A key premise of this book is that life is full of serendipitous surprises. This book is one for me. I did not seek this book out - it found me. I did not buy it or even know about it before I had it in my hands with the obligation of writing a review. The universe certainly moves in strange ways.
This book is not for everybody. But you'll know if it is for you.

This book should have been simplified. It is a little hard to follow. I did get the message overall. I like reading that keeps me pulled in. I am interested in the subject matter but I think it is over the head of most readers.

Here’s the thing – perhaps we are fringe dwellers, but really, it is this great journey of individuation that guides us along our pathway. As Blessed Are the Weird tells us, it is for each of us to choose to either drift along like dandelion puffs haphazardly in the wind, or to heal our hearts and liberate our souls from the oft times, stifling social enculturation we were born into. As Nordby tells us, “Being creative is the only way we can ever feel fulfilled in life.” Acknowledging that life is high art, we are encouraged to listen in to our inner musings and experience each synchronistic act as yet another breadcrumb on the path, leading us back to what we were born to do. If you are feeling the pull, that inner calling, that there is something more within your life that you are missing, let Blessed Are the Weird inspire and guide you. Welcome Nordby's wisdom, wit, and grace as he boldly encourages you to gaze into the mirror of your own soulful self, and discover your inner Genius and the life you were born to live. It is a truly wonderful book - one of those rare treasures that I will read and re-read again. Thank you, Jacob Nordby!

This is one of those life-changing books you stumble upon every once in a great while. The kind of book that not only makes you think, but actually makes you FEEL differently—about yourself, about the world, and about your purpose in it.

Full-disclosure: I have been a weirdo all my life. As an adult, I’ve been obsessed with personality systems in an attempt to define and explain this seemingly inexplicable “weirdness” that I’ve struggled with since I was old enough to get funny looks from other kids on the playground. So I’ve read my fair share of material on psychology, spiritual levels, and personal assessment systems. But nothing—seriously nothing—has encapsulated and gotten right to the heart of the matter for me like this book. After reading Blessed Are the Weird I not only feel like I finally “get it” but that I’m also, crazily enough, okay with it. And that’s the part that makes all the difference.

This book is crazy powerful. If you’re a Weird Person you will get it, deeply and instantaneously. And it will change your life.

What do you want in your life more than anything? Some of us may have been running on the hamster wheel for so long and so hard that we can't remember that last time we asked ourselves this question much less answered it. It may even be the case that when you began running on that wheel you had a firm destination in mind or the running was to free yourself of burdens or obligations so you could pursue that thing, that thing that makes you feel most alive. Jacob substantiates and affirms the many reasons we cannot allow ourselves to lose touch with our true selves along the messy and complicated journey of life, that in fact to do so leaves us feeling soulless. This book is about listening to your soul. We may be in need of listening for the first time, recalling what we once knew, or listening to that inner voice again for the millionth time - regardless of where you are in the journey it is worth reading this book to shepherd yourself or others along the way. Finding a way to listen to soul, it turns out, moves us much closer to true happiness and satisfaction. Anyone you love! That is who this book is for - and if you don't love yourself enough you must begin there first. This is a great read. It doesn't preach. It doesn't finger-wag. There is no guilt dealt out for the things you coulda shoulda or woulda. This is pure and comes from a place of love. I have consumed it but it will take months to ever digest it. I highly recommend the book.

Incredible, moving book for creatives who feel left out of the mainstream. This book creates a tribe simply by existing, and shines a light in the darkness for everyone who used to believe they were alone in the world. (Spoiler alert: You're not.) An essential read for writers, musicians, artists, and creatives of all types and stripes.

Honestly, the book is a great reminder to live your weirdness. Mr. Nordby's selection of quotes help to reinforce the central theme of his book:
"We all start out knowing magic. We are born with whirlwinds, forest fires, and comets inside us. We are born able to sing to birds and read the clouds and see our destiny in grains of sand. But then we get the magic educated right out of our souls. We get it churched out, spanked out, washed out, and combed out. We get put on the straight and narrow and told to be responsible. Told to act our age. Told to grow up, for God’s sake. And you know why we were told that? Because the people doing the telling were afraid of our wildness and youth, and because the magic we knew made them ashamed and sad of what they’d allowed to wither in themselves." -Robert McCammon

This book is a helpful reminder to embrace the creativity that sets you apart from the normies. Don't get all butt-hurt if it doesn't speak to you. It's for those that need a little reassurance...those that are hiding in the bushes, wearing suits...with body glitter underneath.

I really enjoyed this book. The anecdotes are fresh and I personally like the no bulls*** approach to Jacobs writing style. A lot of personal development books try to set you up to become a follower and to subscribe to their philosophy. Jacob simply presents his case and does so in a very fun and interesting way, that captures the imagination. This book is a quick read that will inform and delight you and will give you pause to reflect. It's not for the faint of heart though. If you're a casual self help fan or not ready to examine your beliefs this book may not appeal to you. That's actually a good thing!
Jacob does a remarkable job in creating an understanding of what it means to be unique. Being part of the blessed weird in this case is not about parting with the mainstream as much as it is embracing the qualities that make a person who they are. It pulls together the unspoken value system that all of us creative types have tried to explain to our friends and families but haven't been able to express. If you been wondering if you're missing something in life. If you've been wanting to burn the leash and follow that inner part of your heart that's screaming for expression then this Manifesto is for you. I give it my highest recommendation and am grateful to Jacob for pushing forward to get this book completed. The world needs this message!
Incidently Jacob's first book, The Divine Arsonist, is a fantastic read as well. Welcome to the Tribe!

I have the distinct privilege of calling the author, Jacob Nordby, a true friend. There are so many superlatives for this book that an over-glowing review may come across as hubris. So I will say it this way: this is the only book where I've ever purchased a case of to give to friends and strangers. As I mentioned to Jacob, this is the kind of book that would have lead to persecution and crucifixion in another era or even in some current countries. This book comes with my strongest endorsement. The rest is up to you. Buy it, read it and buy copies for your fellow Weird-ites.

Blessed are the Weird touched me deeply from the first. I inhaled it...finishing in two days. It's been years since I've actively worked on anything creative and since reading Blessed are the Weird, my life has gotten so much better! I'm working on a novel that I haven't touched in years and I've got another idea for a second novel. I'm also planning a sort of scrapbook of "big thoughts" which will be full of articles accompanied by quotes, lyrics, etc. My creativity is really feeding my mental health, something I've struggled with for years (I have bipolar disorder).
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is creative, might be creative, or loves someone who is. I've already sent a copy to my aunt and I look forward to a second read after the new year.

A wonderful book for the wierd, and the pwrsonal journey that I took made me take a deep look at myself, and personal reflection on many aspects of life might have been changed, or at least enhanced. Many different perspectives, and overall a great read.

I have the distinct privilege of calling the author, Jacob Nordby, a true friend. There are so many superlatives for this book that an over-glowing review may come across as hubris. So I will say it this way: this is the only book where I've ever purchased a case of to give to friends and strangers. As I mentioned to Jacob, this is the kind of book that would have lead to persecution and crucifixion in another era or even in some current countries. This book comes with my strongest endorsement. The rest is up to you. Buy it, read it and buy copies for your fellow Weird-ites.

Blessed are the Weird touched me deeply from the first. I inhaled it...finishing in two days. It's been years since I've actively worked on anything creative and since reading Blessed are the Weird, my life has gotten so much better! I'm working on a novel that I haven't touched in years and I've got another idea for a second novel. I'm also planning a sort of scrapbook of "big thoughts" which will be full of articles accompanied by quotes, lyrics, etc. My creativity is really feeding my mental health, something I've struggled with for years (I have bipolar disorder).
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is creative, might be creative, or loves someone who is. I've already sent a copy to my aunt and I look forward to a second read after the new year.

A wonderful book for the wierd, and the pwrsonal journey that I took made me take a deep look at myself, and personal reflection on many aspects of life might have been changed, or at least enhanced. Many different perspectives, and overall a great read.

This was a very comfortable read for me. I found myself nodding along throughout the entire book and even verbally agreeing at times. For me, the book is about finding your true self, your north star, and your why. It explains how we as a civilized society have done so much right, but are currently stalled. We have created a way to exist without much thought or much work. We have clean water, we have accessible affordable food, indoor plumbing, heat, air conditioning, microwave ovens, heated steering wheels, supercomputers in our pockets......and on and on. But we kinda suck as a collective group of people. We are fighting and bickering and hating with each other. This book is to help us hit a very important reset button so that we can take the next step in our human evolution. One of my favorite quotes, is "A person is smart, people are stupid". If we can bridge the gap in that statement, in my mind, that is the next step for us. To be collectively awesome. Blessed are the Weird helps us find our purpose, helps us understand that failure isn't an endgame and that if we push ourselves in the right places, self-actualization is within reach.

I found this book enlightening, inspiring, charming and funny; the content is simultaneously "Ah-Ha!" and "Well, duh..." in that often, the most obvious approaches are the ones that we miss. The writing style is casual and irreverent, making me feel almost as if I'm sitting down to coffee with the author, rather than reading his book. I laughed, I underlined, I pondered and re-read, and I'm sure I will re-read again. Thank you for sharing this book with the world, Jacob Nordby; it's important and good stuff.

so... just finished it... this is not a "self help" book, but rather a "call to action"... calling upon each of us to shake ourselves from the "inertia of a numb lifestyle" and make our life our work of art. The author challenges us to have the courage to make our lives our work of art, causing our own little Renaissance. He is direct, open about his own life, and honest in his approach. I enjoyed the way the book walks us through an overview of types of "artists" (not an exhaustive list, as he admits) and then moves from the "generic" and "out there" to connecting this to each of us, and ultimately making the challenge. well, all that said, i'm off my ass... challenge accepted!

I have devoured this book, BLESSED ARE THE WEIRD, and again and again I marvel at the truth it holds within. It resonates my deeply hidden feelings. It allows permission to touch and explore thoughts previously felt too taboo for the light, to easily pushed aside. Jacob Nortby challenges us to peek inside our weirdness and find our path and to know that within our weirdness lies our greatness, the delicious spark which defines our true self. Dance with me!
- Rebecca Ginsburg

Reading Blessed Are the Weird was a peaceful experience that reminded me of all of the good, creative people in the world and of their potential to improve what otherwise often seems to be a disaster. Too often we ignore our feelings and talk about our ideas. The feeling I got from reading Blessed Weird was, to use Nordby's words, massively liberating. Throughout the book I found traces of myself in the people he wrote about, and was honored to be included.

I'm not your typical "weird" kind of guy. Truthfully, I wasn't sure if this book would connect with me. Not only did it connect, it changed the way I think about creativity and what I do on a daily basis. You don't have to consider yourself a "creative" person to read this book. Art can be seen in so many ways... thanks Jacob for a great perspective and your thoughtful words.

Jacob is a wordsmith. He speaks with an authentic, compassionate, and encouraging voice. This book provides an interesting perspective that is worth exploring on your journey of discovering your creative potential.

This book truly spoke to my soul, telling me exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. Jacob Nordby so eloquently expressed such raw ideas and emotions that have inspired me. Love this book!

I just finished reading this book. It was an exhilarating, soul-shaking, slap-in-the-face waking, by-the-seat-of-your-pants hell of a ride. Jacob's insights are deep, intellectual, eye-opening, factual, radical, humorous, and always energizing. It felt like meeting up with a long-lost friend. All in all, a truly magical read.