IS IT ‘GOOD’ TO BE NORMAL ? or ‘BETTER’ TO BE ABNORMAL?  

Sometimes, feeling sick and pulled down is normal—our bodies aren’t perfect. Sufferings and illnesses are natural parts of our lives and keep happening, shaping our destiny. On the other hand, being ‘abnormal’ isn’t inherently evil or ‘sick’. It simply means being different from the norm; everyone has unique qualities that should be celebrated and embraced.

The key is to accept and embrace the normal and abnormal moments of health, situations and uniqueness as they shape who we are. If we reflect on this deeply, it might be worth exploring why we feel this way.

Who decides what is ‘Normal’ and ‘Abnormal’? — An International protocol, a Committee, a Forum or a Religious conglomeration.  Who established the decorum and standard criteria for etiquettes, and when?

Whatever is accepted today as Normal and a way of life was undoubtedly Abnormal in the past, and vice versa. With varying norms, we have become robots accommodating to all situations. By applying logic and intellect, we have set specific standards for ourselves. An abnormal behaviour might be just an exaggeration of normal behaviour, like singing loudly on the road at midnight or attending a page-3 party wearing basic clothes.

It is undoubtedly redeeming and rejuvenating to be what you are and do what you want or like to accomplish. Acting and performing to shadow other’s standards and mundane morals makes life gloomy and abnormal.

‘Being normal is truly abnormal.’

A world-famous author died at ninety-nine. He was an alcoholic, obese, and chain smoker, and he quenched his whimsical, unpretentious desires his way. Was he living an abnormal life? — NO!  An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behaviour. There shouldn’t be any qualms about accepting one’s abnormalities—being abnormal is a lot more fun, as it allows us to live life on our terms, embracing our individuality and uniqueness.

Williams James said, “Studying the abnormal is the best way of understanding the normal.” Being normal is cringing, boring, and monotonous—like following a dreary daily roster and a boring routine and surviving for no reason.

The validation of one’s abnormality should be –

*To find love in erroneous places.

*To find detestations in the correct places.

*To love beasts and devils.

*To despise the surrounding beautiful things.

 *To cry for hell and laugh at bliss.

Adore yourself, follow the uncharacteristic habits and be the best by being abnormal. Embrace your uniqueness and individuality, and know you are not alone in your ‘abnormal’ traits.

Society is good at squeezing out our unconventional and eccentric thoughts, ambitions, and logical intellects, leaving the residual product— A Normal Person who masters, leading a compromised and emotionally conceded life.

What’s the harm of being labelled a Black Sheep or a bit unconventional? Most of the world’s inventions, discoveries, and writings were made by abnormal people, who are considered the black sheep.

A person who acts abnormally for a long time is ostracised as ‘mentally ill’. Short-term abnormalities are considered ‘Weird’.

An impressive quote for ‘ABNORMAL’ —

A – Always be who you are.

B – Breaking barriers.

N – Never give up.

O – Open to new ideas and opportunities.

R – Reading, learning and exploring.

M—Magical in the lives of others.

A – Active in your own Life.

L – Living outrageously wherever you are.’

What if someone behaved abnormally when surrounded by abnormal people? Abnormality is so common that it would be practically accepted as Normal.

A senior physician used to make vocal music during consultation hours, getting bored. The patients waited while the doctor practised music in loud overtones in the adjacent room. He casually said, “That’s my life, and I find music rejuvenating and normal.”

‘Life is incomplete without deviant friends.’ It is normal to have some abnormal friends, not mental or weird, but somewhat different from the uninteresting routine. These ‘deviant friends’ can bring a fresh perspective, challenge our beliefs, and inspire us to think outside the box. Enjoy their spicy gossip, the abusive local dialect, and the WhatsApp forwards. What’s wrong with having a heartfelt laugh if it rejuvenates our youth?

There is no point in behaving normally, trying to please others, and ultimately displeasing ourselves. It’s empowering to be true to ourselves, even if it means being abnormal. Don’t be average, either—typical is the wrong name often used in society. By ‘average ‘, I mean conforming to the societal norms without questioning them, and by ‘typical ‘, I refer to the common behaviours and attitudes considered normal in a particular society.

‘We live in a society in which it is normal to be sick, sick to be abnormal.’

Sadh guru wisely said, “Never compare one human being with another. If you compare one with the other, everybody is abnormal. Show me one normal human being.” This quote serves as a potent reminder that the concept of normality is subjective and that each individual’s uniqueness makes them ‘normal’ in their own right.

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