We live in a society and it seems that whatever the majority of the society does and thinks is viewed as normal. But how appropriate that is? Just because most people do it in a certain way, does that mean we all should do it? Should we accept whatever people think it’s normal as part of our life just because that’s what they think?
Many years ago it was normal for people to write letters and it wasn’t normal to have a beepy thing in your pocket. Now, it’s the other way around and that’s because Alexander Graham Bell and then Martin Cooper had the guts to challenge the traditional way of communication. The normal way isn’t necessarily the only way to do things. It’s merely the most popular way.
To challenge the normal way is a… challenge. Because those people that use the normal way will judge and cuss and try to do whatever it takes so stop that because they are afraid of what might happen. People hate changes because deep down they don’t know if they can handle it so they don’t even want to try. “Why fixing something that works?”
It’s funny how this works because we all admire the ones that do different and succeed. But we don’t know and we don’t see the process. We don’t see the cussing and the judging. We don’t see what that person had to endure to get to the top. We only see the top of the mountain, not the mountain itself. And they got there because they challenged the normal way and they did it their way and we appreciate them for that. But when they start, do we appreciate them for challenging the normal way?
It requires strength to challenge the normal way, but it is very rewarding in the end. What part of normality would you like to challenge?
I hereby challenge normal perceptivity to a duel! *glove slap*
That’s the spirit! 😀
This is gunna be sooo good! I’ve already got the marketable “hook” slogan: TEACHER VS PREACHER! (and the crowd goes wild in applause)
I’ve never, to my recollection, been “normal” yet now as the sub-culture I was a part of becomes –THE Normal– I can’t help but feel I no longer fit in with that crowd either. Perhaps what perplexes me the most is no matter what is normal….I seem to stand on the outside looking in. Perhaps I would change that part of normalcy… Perhaps not..
Existing along the lines of the perpetual peripheral makes for beautiful poetry.
Indeed it does. That is a refreshing out look. When all else fails at least we have the written word to use as a respite in times of true darkness, and as a trumpet in the brightness that is sure to come.
We open the seals, pour the bowls, breathe air into the trumpets in the heat of the night when injustices become too great.
I’m sure you are aware of this but you create beauty from mere words. Michealangelo dared not craft with such allure.
That’s me, Kalliope, the goddess of eloquence and epic poetry *curtsey* I am please to have made your aquaintance. Dr K. Vamp. *toothy grin* We may have more in common than meets the eye.
Maybe it’s because you always strive for something new? 🙂
I would argue that normality is required, to a point. Normality allows for a baseline; it is normal for the sun to shine during one half of the day.
I suppose then it is a question of what others perceive as normal, that we wish to change. But, if that’s the case, then why do we need to change it, if it is not normal to us already? Does that not suggest we have already changed it?
We can always operate outside of these boundaries, though the difficulty of such will always vary. I believe it is something we should be able to review internally, and decide if it assists us or not.
Yes, we should. But sometimes we don’t do it because of the fear of that difficulty and whatever the consequences might be.
Fear is the greatest thing that holds anyone back.
I’d like to change the way we work. I mean, to go to the office now just to be there? Nonsense! I will agree on periodical face-to-face, but coming because it is “what you normally do” is making me feel uncomfortable.
In your opinion, how should we work?
We should have a trust relation. That is, your employer should know you care about what you do. That is, your job. Therefore you don’t need to go to your office unless it is needed, like for meetings. I know what they think: it nobody sees you, nobody knows what you do. But you can send reports around, or something similar.
True, but what about the people that want to do as little as possible and get as much money as possible?
I really love it. I feel isolated when it comes to the crowd. I do not know how to blend in but I always try my best to adjust. Yet in the end, I always end up being criticized. heheeheh I love your post. It gives hope especially to the loners like me. I prefer small population but I’m not anti-social. I enjoy talking and bonding with people but in a different way. No wonder, I can’t jive with the majorities.
What is the reason you feel isolated when it comes to the crowd?
I feel isolated in the way that I get intimidated easily when it comes to new people and new environment. My actions seem awkward. I become too conscious and feel anxious. 🙂 Probably because I’m an introvert and a bit of a loner. I like to spend more time with myself rather than large crowds. It really drains me physically and emotionally. I then experience sadness when no one can relate.
I just bought myself a shopping bag that reads, “Majestically Awkward”. 😁
One of my favorite quotes from j Krishnamurti
It is no sign of good mental health to be well adjusted to a sick society
Exactly! Awesome quote btw. Thank you for sharing it! 🙂
My pleasure
I LOVE that!
The first thing that popped into my head was the chart used in the doctor’s office to measure our kid’s growth. Running through the middle was a line named 50% or “normal” range depending who was presenting the chart (a visual).
Throughout my life, I struggled to operate along this line. Eventually, I decided I wanted to try something different and thought it “not necessarily normal”. What I found is to some my newly discovered lifestyle is perfectly normal to a growing community and has been for many, many years.
Donna
Yes! Thank you for sharing this! There are many lines besides the normal one. We just don’t always see it because of the normality.
Uh-oh, another Chidi (The Good Place) question. I ain’t touchin’ this one🤓
Come on. Don’t be afraid :))))
5 hours of TV watching a day is Normal in the US!?! Can’t imagine having the time. Opium of the masses was a good way to phrase it! I’d rather walk, read, converse, and create. -Rebecca
That is the best alternative to that normality…
Seems so. Guess it would be a good idea to write for television! -Rebecca
Me “Normal”? Never have been, never will be. When it’s all said and done, I hope they look at me and say, now there walked a man who had passion for life.
All people need to live their lives, not others. But it seems to be so hard these days…
I agree it is hard. Sometimes it means walking away from things, God knows I have.. But my destiny didn’t lie down the path everyone else thought I should take. I’m a happier man for seeking it out and finding it.
I think it was Ricky nelson that had a song called Garden party. There’s a piece of advice in it I think we’d all do well the heed. It goes “You can’t please everyone, so you might as well please yourself.”
How coincidental the theme of this post reflects the one I just wrote up: http://abysspost.com/2018/12/11/alienation-an-experiment-social-conformity/
Crowds are so unbelievably conservative. Social psychology is a fascinating field. Your point about the irony found in admiring those individualists, but at the same time, joining the crowds disapproving of their individualism, is so true. It is maddening!
What a great coincidence! Thank you for sharing your post as well!
This was awesome! I think being normal is easy which allows many people gain comfort in it. To challenge normal is bold and daring and pushes people out of their comfort zones.
Thank you! Yes, that’s true! Going out of normality requires strength.
The part of normality that I wish to challenge is the consuming (eating, wearing, any type of use) of animal products including ANY part of the Kingdom Animalia.
Stopped eating pork about 17 years ago and meat 11 years ago. Still eating fish although the 1st 60 days of the year I’m vegan with no process foods.
My point is that if I a 6’5″ Puerto Rican can do it, anyone can do it
How come?