What Does It Mean To Be “Normal”?
“Normal” can be fragile.
No matter how screwed up you may be, for as long as you are outwardly functional, you’re still – for all intents and purposes – “normal”.
Every then and again, on a personal or even national scale, an event occurs that makes us question the mental health of the doer (usually, a perpetrator).
Later, we often learn that the person in question was either perfectly normal (had no prior history of mental problems) or had some mental issues which were investigated, diagnosed, sometimes even treated and eventually dismissed as harmless.
The behavior of the perpetrator remains crazy in all of our judgment which raises the question not of the definition but the actual meaning of the label “normal”.
The way the term “normal” is used seems to mean that the person has an average ability to function. “Normal” isn’t a standard, mind you. If you really think about it, NOBODY qualifies as a role model for “normalcy”. Nobody is perfectly “normal”.
We all bear scars. We are all survivors. Few of us are unscathed by life’s events or experiences. If there is a person alive untouched by the turmoil of life, this person wouldn’t be a standard for “normalcy” either because being entirely untouched by life is an exception, not a rule.
Most of us are damaged in some way, but the damage CAN be healed.
Bottom line? None of us is “normal”. Many managed to process, integrate and adapt successfully to their trauma and went on to have fulfilling, successful and happy lives. Just as many managed to survive without the hope of ever succeeding in their lives, careers, leave alone ever knowing happiness and are leading a life of constant struggle, disappointment and pain. Neither of which is considered “mental disease”.
In other words, no matter how screwed up you may be, the good news is that for as long as you are outwardly functional, you’re still – for all intents and purposes – “normal”.
But is suffering and failure a normal state of being or living? If not, is there any way to escape such a life?………. YES!
Psychiatry specializes in treating mental illness. Psychology seeks to describe and explain the causes of psychological pain and then predict, control and improve behavior.
Personal development coaching can identify snugs in your personal development, help you learn from them, overcome them, see yourself as you really are and teach you how to maintain the unblemished, strong and capable person you are to your ultimate satisfaction. Because if you’re not held back by past pain or past emotional baggage, you’ll be able see life as it is and people as they really are (without the distortion of past trauma) and use your personal power to your advantage. You’ll be able to think and act effectively; meaning you’ll be capable of pursuing – and achieving! – your goals.
Being “normal” may not be the standard to aspire to or the desired state of being. Being OK, being whole, is. Click To Tweet
Your parents applauded when you took your first steps and spoken the first words. They applauded you, not because you were more than but because you were deserving of applause just for being you.
No matter what interruptions / disasters you lived through, you still deserve applause, if only for surviving. Do all you need to recover. Even if it means that you’ll have to start over, start with “I’m OK”. “Normal” isn’t a good enough starting point of your next chapter.
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” Maya Angelou Click To Tweet
