Since hiding my head in the sand has typically been an ineffective way of living life, and I can't sleep anyway, I thought I'd come here and muss around a bit.
In my world, being up at 4 o'clock in the morning is not only unnatural, it's appalling. I am typically just the opposite, go to sleep very late, and sleep every possible extra second in the morning I can get in. If I get in 6 or 7 hours in a night I'm doing good. Thats typical American right?
Of course, then again, what is a typical person?
Typical is defined as :
: constituting or having the nature of a type :
a : combining or exhibiting the essential characteristics of a group <typical suburban houses> b : conforming to a type
I would normally toss typical right next to normal. They both represent about the same thing.
Normal says :
a : according with, constituting, or not deviating from a norm, rule, or principle b : conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern
: occurring naturally <normal immunity>
a : of, relating to, or characterized by average intelligence or development b : free from mental disorder
I really like that last part, free from mental disorder as being considered normal. I think it's a grand twist of normalcy. I can't claim a disorder, but sometimes I believe I'm a bit tweaked in the mental department. Without sounding melodramatic, why shouldn't I? Everything I 'thought' and 'believed' to be normal and typical hasn't been a level I've ever reached.
Does anyone? Because I gotta say here, when I look around, I don't find a large factor of 'normal' and 'typical' in the people I come across, mostly heaping myself on that pile of illusion. Because the things I grew up believing should be normal and typical, are not the things I have done and accomplished.
It's possible because of my Church upbringing, I had it told over and over that when you get all grown up, you marry, have children, create a home, love that man till you die, raise your children, get a retirement plan and die old and happy. Any deviation from that and I've fallen off the normal track and into some other oblivion that wasn't quite explained to me back then. Therefore producing this never ending quest to feel normal and typical.
So, maybe I'm just not seeing the whole picture here, but once you've skied off that nice smooth downhill track and find yourself skiing through the moguls and trees, glancing longingly over at the bunny hill, how the hell does one get back to the Olympic downhill side of things? Maybe life is a bit like the Olympics, only a few make the Olympic status and the rest of us are just flailing down the hill in one big old group of our own version of normal. Hitting a few trees, a few major wipe outs here and there, the joy of it all.
Maybe, just maybe, normal is a bit overrated, overstated and not as typical as I once thought. It's possible, and maybe not as much of a stretch as I once thought, that I am falling more into an ordinary normal category of typical screwing up and those who portray the Olympic side of life need to be elevated from normal to extraordinary.
Most times, I guess I just feel like I don't fit in anywhere and to be honest, thats tough.....
If there any, you know, normal people out there, as in old time mentality of normal, stand up, raise your hand, let me know if that concept is still out there for real, or if I'm just trying to measure up to something that really can't truly be accomplished~~
18 comments:
You look normal enough, Rebecca Anne, but you're SO damn odd (factual-like). I think it's an artist thing. Every talented one that I've known is that way ...
... And, they all worship at the base of my supreme delightful oddness.
~Valentine's Day smooch, Brian <33
The Love Train <3 (Music & lyrics)
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The Love Train <3 ~ Personally (Poetry, quotes, writings)
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Who wants to be normal. I think the vast majority of the "average person" is crazy and just doesn't admit it. I lived enough time in that crazy world and I think it now time to become sane. Hence my name. LOL. Glad to see you writing more. ~ Mike
Trying to be emotionally normal is like trying for the "ideal" phsyical type. It doesn't exist. You can't have average everything, ever. The Torah teaches that of the 600,000 people (yeah, scoff if you like, but that's what we believe) who received the Torah at Sinai, no two were alike. If you prefer another tack, every zebra's stripes are unique. No one expects any two people to have the same reactions to life. No one, except for the closed-minded, expects everyone to live a "normal" life.
Hey, everybody is unique. Besides life doesn't play fair you know that. I was to follow that same path as you described...instead I became the first in my entire family (and I mean even the extended ones) to ever get a divorce...I always wanted to be first at something - but maybe not that. I only held onto the title for a short time anyway as my sister went tumbling down the path four (4) times...totally outdid me! Now she has found forever love as have I....for me it is better the second time around. Look, we come into this world alone, we exit this world alone......hopefully for a better place. In the meantime, you make yourself happy, love yourself and love will come to you - hurt no one, believe in yourself and remember you owe no one a reason to be, just be yourself...sweet. Happy Valentines Day dear....love....Sandi
You know what? You're not as alone in this as you might think. I am very intelligent, loving, witty, wise...and still walking the periphery. I am typical in being married, true...but atypical in choosing motherhood over a lucrative career (my dad STILL hates that). I've grown to like being atypical in so many repsects...it's more interesting. Piss on the bunny hill hon'...it's for the babies. ;) One of the best compliments I've ever been given is that I am my own person...you are too...I give that compliment to you. ;) C. http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies
Just keep being you :) Happy Valentines day
Deb
Why be normal? It's more fun to go against the grain, to experience life's ups and downs, to be what you want to be... Your essence as a person is what is important. Show me someone normal and I'll show you an uptight person who is dying to get out of that normalcy. Love much, laugh often, and live well! http://journals.aol.com/dcmeyer420/DearDiary/
Normal? How boring ;p <LOL>
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/
Normal is highly overrated. As someone who was brought up in the same manner, I can tell you it's not about finding security or the perfect, normal life. It doesn't exist. But there are safe people. Family, friends etc., that we feel we can turn to when times arise and we have that need to reach out. Safe people aren't perfect people. Safe people are people who make mistakes but are good people and we still accept them anyway. They aren't afraid to tell us when we are off the mark. You are NOT off the mark. Like the old saying goes: "It's not about seeing through each other, it's about seeing each other through!" God Bless...
normal, I don't know what that is, LOL. Hope you had a greathttp://journals.aol.com/am4039/life/ day.
I wonder if anyone feels 'normal' ? The funny thing is, the idea of it changes all the time, and what was normal a few years back isn't normal now. I never did feel like I fit that ideal, and yet I live that typical " married, with two kids, living in the suburbs' kind of existance. And you know what? I am surrounded by quite a few people out here in suburbia, who are miserable. Why? Because they are living what was expected of them, instead of the way that they were naturally inclined to live. To me, going against your natural inclinations is abnormal. Too bad our society tries to dictate to us how it is that we should live, so that we can be considered a normal person. Thanks for an interesting entry. This one made me think ! Tina http://journals.aol.com/onemoretina/Ridealongwithme
As far as I know there isn't such a thing as normal. I feel about as abnormal as can be. Honestly I think that the day that someone is able to measure what is normal and what isn't, is the day when the measuring tool will explode, taking everyone with it.
Hi Rebecca! I posted my version of "normal" in your last entry. That same version belongs to the 14th or 13th of
Feb. Actually, the word "normal" belongs after each journalist's entries. Love, IKOWSKY
I grew up with no real structure...and I married at an early age...I have the two kids, the two dogs...and live the "normal life"...lol Okay maybe not normal.....never boring should be what I say. I still have my un~conformed, and out in left field mentality...how I attracted normal..I will never know...lol Congrats on being one of Michael's pics. Just wanted to stop by and give my 27 cents worth. take care
Dwana
Hey, if you get the answer to that question please pass it on to me. I feel the same way at times. I hope you and your children have a great weekend. That's what makes me feel normal. TerryAnn.
If normal is "like everyone else", I don't wanna be normal, do you?
Your entry is very thought provoking. I guess that makes you a provocative writer, ha ha.
I certainly have had to come to grips with my religious upbringing as well. One of the things I think you are wrestling with is reconciling your life with "your" lifetime goals that were actually never your goals to begin with. They were assigned to you by sunday school, your parents, teachers, and society as a whole. It is very interesting to see how someone else thinks about this type of thing.
Chris
Most recent entry was 2/17/06
http://inanethoughtsandinsaneramblings.blogspot.com/
Hey normals really over-rated , i mean from what i can tell normal is whatever some tells you is normal now do you really want to spend your life conforming to someone elses idea of "typical" or do you want to define your own reality ?
Im sure people like Hitler thought that THEY were normal , now we know where that little misconception ended up ,in hindsight the whole world could see he wasnt normal , yet at the time thousands didnt see this because normality was defined by a madman , the real danger is when people believe other peoples definitions of normality and nothing else they see .
Im sure Mother Theresa thought she was a normal everyday woman as well but hey most people might say different , that she was exceptional , it works both ways .
Normality depending on how society defines it can be a great thing to be or the blindest , worst thing to strive for .
Your you Rebecca , strong , intelligent and astute enough to know that if true normality cannot exist , everything is random , and in a world where there is only one thing that we ALL will experience for definate the only thing we can define truely as "normal" is our mortality .
Loved this post , great stuff x
Sorry, but no normal here! As I write this my youngest son is being dressed up like a girl by his friend's sister! Willingly I might add! Nope, normal doesn't live here. Not by a mile! :)
Tammy
http://LifeLiveItOrMissOut.blogspot.com
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