October 8, 2018
"What does normal mean to you? Is it good or bad to be normal? "
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The above quote by Charles Adams sums up my view of normal, quite well. 'Normal' is an illusion that changes as per the perspective, a mirage that shifts as our moods do and a fantasy that we all try to impose on each other.
It is strange that a word that is constantly changing, forever evolving to suit our shifting standards is used as a benchmark to judge and assess people. Times, circumstances, cultures they influence the standards and yet we dismiss what we do not like by saying ' it is not normal' or 'that is not what is done in the normal course of things.'
I differ - when we cannot define 'normal' how can we use it as a standard, a benchmark? How can a word used to define a vague idea be the scale to pass concrete judgements. We use a personal idiosyncrasy to make firm statements never realising how biased and discriminating we can be.
The Urban Dictionary defines 'normal' as a word made up by this corrupt society so that they could single out and attack those who are different. That is a very apt definition. People who differ from us in dress, religion, habits or looks are not 'normal' hence should be treated as abnormal (which is again used to define something which is wrong). They dress different, they are abnormal; they pray to a different God they are abnormal; they think differently, they are abnormal and all abnormal people must be attacked. I wonder how we usurped the right to decide who is normal and abnormal and who we think we are to attack those who are different.
Banish the word ' normal' it does not exist, life is too precious and each of us are unique, different in our individual ways. In the words of Carl Sagan, "Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another."
Let us celebrate our uniqueness, our differences and our peculiarities. Let us remember that 'normal' is only an illusion.
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Word count 350
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365 Days- Book I
AléatoireThis is my collection of writings for the three hundred and sixty five day writing challenge - where one has to write something daily, every day, for one whole year, based on the prompts provided - as part of an exercise to improve creative writing...
