“IF YOU ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO BE NORMAL YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW AMAZING
YOU CAN BE.” Maya Angelou
Recently, I was having a conversation with a deep thinker who was trying to quantify “normal”. We pondered the term from the perspective of what a “typical” experience or life trajectory might be only to reach the conclusion that there were so many variables it seemed a somewhat irrelevant exercise for our purposes. “Normal” we realized, was a perception often dictated by the way other families appear compared to your own: the way others seem compared to what you know about yourself and not necessarily what was true or relevant about others. It did however lead us to looking at how we judge ourselves in relation to others, to how and where and if we fit in and to ways that the need to belong both motivated and curtailed our natural abilities and talents. Finding within ourselves our own centre, our own reference points from which to grow as we cultivate our interests, values and ways of being in the our family and kinship networks, communities and environments in which we live and work allows us to harvest the joys from celebrating our uniqueness.
Max Erhmann wrote his timeless prose: Desiderata in 1927.
His message continues to inform and inspire us to appreciate that we all have a purpose and place in the universe.
“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive God to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”
