Being Normal ...

"When will you understand

that being normal

isn't necessarily a virtue?"

unknown author

All of my life, I have longed to be 'normal'.  In early childhood, I clearly understood that I saw things and heard noises that others clearly did not.  In elementary school, I observed behaviors that were never congruent with the lessons being taught.  In high school, the superficial goals of friends turned me in other directions.  In college, I learned for certain that my family of origin did not meet the criteria for normality.  Through marriage and parenting, being 'normal' continued to escape me. 

Webster's Dictionary offers this definition of the word normal:  usual/regular/expected.

Based upon this definition, I am no longer certain I desire to be 'normal' at all!  Maybe 'normal' is whatever I make it.  Maybe the true quest is to discover what is normal for me. 

Webster's Dictionary offers this definition for not being normal: 

having unusual features. 

If I had a choice of being usual/regular/expected or having unusual features, I feel pretty certain that I would embrace the latter. 

Just like anyone else, I have been created with unique gifts and talents.  So individual focus needs to be on authenticity rather than duplication.  If I honor my differences, rather than being synonymous, the Divine fully opens within me, ending any sense of competition and creates calm rather than strife.

As I speculate, I realize friends that are most endearing to me have rather unusual characteristics themselves.  So in these final years, I will embrace not being 'normal' and give up all intentions to be otherwise while surrounding myself with inspiring kindred spirits!