Normality

Let's come back with the interesting idea of normality. What is normal, really? Is it truly possible for anyone to be normal? And is normal a really good thing to be?

Here's what I think: In general, I think being normal is completely overrated. We should be happy with whoever we are, regardless of what anyone else says. But if you really want to be "normal," to me it means being healthy, mentally, emotionally, and physically. It means being able to enjoy the beautiful moments of life as well as cope with the difficult days that try to trip you up. Being content with whatever you do is what I think normal is.

In life, however, people don't always look at normal that way. They see normal as being whatever the social norm is at the time, especially teenagers. Wearing Toms and Sperry's or Forever 21 and American Eagle and having an iPhone makes you "normal." Being thin if you're a girl or muscular if you're a guy makes you "normal." If you're a teenager, going to high school and going to parties makes you "normal."

But here's the thing-- Social norms change. You might be "normal" when you follow them one day, but you are "weird" when you continue to follow them a year later. One hundred years ago it was "normal" for women to cover their knees at all times. Now it's "normal" to see much more than just their knees, especially in the summer, but even in the winter. Things change, times change, people change. So why waste all of your time trying to be "normal" when no matter how hard you try, you won't be able to stay there? Nor will you be happy being someone you're not.

Be yourself. Be who you want to be. Love what you do, what you wear, what you work for. All you need to be normal is to be okay with yourself. Do what makes you happy and live life as you want to live it. No matter how "weird" other people think you are, know that you're enjoying your life a lot more than they are. There is nothing more anyone could ever ask of you than for you just to be you. Enjoy it.