Finally . . . back to normal. That was my thought this morning as I was getting ready for work. Back to the norm.
My second thought . . . what is normal? Is my normal your normal? Who or what defines what normal is? My normal has been to battle my weight my entire life. To lose, to gain, to lose again. To gain again. That's been my normal. But some might say that's NOT normal. It's not normal to put your body through that. It's not normal to be anything other than a size 10. Well, my reply to them is . . . phllghfladadflka! (I wasn't sure how to type my tongue sticking out and making that spitty sound.) It may not be YOUR normal, and it may not be what I would have chosen for myself, but it IS my normal.
Is it normal to be a totally arrogant obnoxious jerk who talks so loud that the people around you can't concentrate on their totally awesome sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat book? Man, I hope that wasn't his normal, but it could have been. And if it was, I feel sorry for his co-workers and friends and family and totally random readers of books.
Is it normal to have Diet Pepsi and chocolate for breakfast? Some (most?) might say NO! Others (me) might have a different opinion.
Is it normal to cry when you see a stray dog and you know he doesn't have a home and no one to pet him and love him? Well, it didn't USED to be my normal, but it is now.
So, I guess my thought this morning should have been . . . Finally . . . back to MY normal.
And, before I go, just another little thought on normal. If you don't like your normal, CHANGE it! Normal isn't like a steel rod that can't bend. It's flexible! It allows you to mold your own kind of normal. I think that's really cool.
If everyone was normal this world would suck!
ReplyDeleteWhatever "normal" is :)
DeleteI'm kind of an anti-normal person, lol. I get suspicious when people claim to be normal. It's a word I try to avoid, like the word "perfect." But I agree, we can absolutely change what we consider "normal."
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, melanie - - I'm kind of anti- myself!
DeleteI like the part about changing your normal if you don't like it. Choices. It's what life is all about!
ReplyDeleteRobin, I just went to your Thursday blog post - - you made me cry.
DeleteMy whole life I thought "normal" was reserved for "those" people. I have not a clue what normal is but God help us all if it turns out that *I* am normal! ;) I too like your words about changing "it." And as soon as I figure out what "it" is, I may. :) - Missed you.
ReplyDeleteI forget who said it, but I read this a long time ago and have never ever forgotten it. I'm paraphrasing - - "just because you knew me yesterday, do not think that you know me today because I am always changing and evolving." Meaning don't take our relationships for granted. Missed you too!!
DeleteYou're right: if our normal doesn't fit anymore, all we have to do is change it. I like that. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for the ability to change!
DeleteThe part of your post that I found most fascinating (having dealt with the concept of "normalcy" quite a bit) was the part about the stray dog. I, too, have had a change of heart about dogs, and also worry inordinately, about the welfare of obviously misplaced canines. I consider it a good thing, and a step in the right direction. Is it "normal?" I don't give a "dog-goned" hoot, if I am permitted to mix my personifications...
ReplyDeleteI"m a sucker for dogs. And you don't have to give a "dog-goned" hoot for anything that you don't want to. And . . .it's baseball season!!! I bet you give a dog goned hoot about that!!!
DeleteMe? Baseball? Judy, you know me too well! The Giants scored four in the ninth yesterday, to tie the Dodgers in their first meeting of the pre- season. It is going to be a fun year!
DeleteWhy be normal? ;) As for the dog thing, I can't stand the heartbreaking pics and stories I see on my FB newsfeed. I want to adopt them all and give them love, food, affection, etc.
ReplyDelete"Normal" is way overrated :) And I def want to take care of and give love to all the dogs who don't have anybody :(
DeleteExcellent post. I really like your last paragraph!
ReplyDeleteI love the hope of change!!
DeleteI'm totally normal. Everyone else is just weird. ;-)
ReplyDeletehaha! I am totally weird, and not afraid to admit it!
DeleteI love being weird and having a different "normal" than most. It makes life so much more interesting!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I also cry when I see stray dogs and cats. I always pray that God finds them a loving family. Many times, I call my husband and ask him to look for the dog, call its owner if it has one or take it to a no-kill shelter. He's really great that way:)
I am happy to say I've never been "normal" :) And I think that is wonderful that you and your husband try to take care of dogs and cats who have lost their homes :)
DeleteLike you said, normal is pretty relative. I like my normal and hope to be back to it soon.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I don't think there really is a normal!
ReplyDeleteNormal is so over-done. I like you better.
ReplyDelete