Post by keyodie on Jan 10, 2009 0:08:21 GMT -5
“The average person thinks he isn’t.”
(Father Larry Lorenzoni)
(Father Larry Lorenzoni)
Most of us have our own definitions for what the words ‘unique’ and ‘normal’ mean. When we think about the word unique, the person that comes to mind may be one who is spontaneous, quirky, inspiring, and funny. As for the word normal, the person that usually comes to mind is someone who is boring and has no special talents or traits. The definition of normal, provided by dictionary.com, is conforming to the standard or the common type. Do you honestly think that it is common to have no special talents or traits? Do you honestly think that it is common to be boring? Not only are these descriptions subjective, everyone in the world is different from one another. In this way, no one is unique or normal.
Many people have a distinct impression of what ‘normal’ people would act like and what ‘unique’ people would act like. Many people discriminate against the people who they consider ‘normal’ and strive to be unique, while others try hard to be normal and to be like others. These people will ultimately be disappointed, because there is no such thing. It is important to care about neither of these things and instead be your natural self. If you try to conform to your idea of ‘normal’ or ‘unique’, you are only comparing yourself to others. You will never be satisfied because there will always be one other person who fits your idea of ‘unique’ or ‘normal’ better than you.
There are people who suffer depression and search constantly for a reason for why they do. When they hear about the tragic stories of others, they feel guilty or pathetic. They compare their lives to the lives of others, which only further lowers their self-esteem. They may even lie to themselves and to others so that they can better justify the way they feel. They may crave the sympathy of others. They may try to be unique so that they may be seen as some tragic but beautiful soul instead of a pathetic low-life who feels sorrow in a seemingly perfect life. They may dislike those that they consider normal, people who look a certain way and wear certain clothes.
I know that there are a great number of these people in the world. They try to be unique, but all that happens in the end is they disappoint themselves. We have all striven to fit in or to stand out, myself included. As trite as it may sound, we all need to be ourselves. If we do, we will attract the people that we will value most. Nobody is normal and nobody is unique, we are just a large group of distinctly different people.
Nobody likes to think that they aren’t unique, that they are just one person out of the billions in the world. It is helpful though to remember that it is useless to compare yourself to strangers. We all have different friends, acquaintances, and our very own network. Each of us has our own world that pertains only to us, that matters only to us. Do not make judgments on those that you do not know. Do not make judgments on yourself based on those that you do not know. All that matters is that you are you and that you live your life happily without the burden of lies.
We all have stories and personalities, though it may not be apparent. If you understand this and act accordingly, you will be a much happier person. The universe may be big and you may be small, but your life will be worthwhile if you understand the significance of your own world. Rock your world, be happy, and just live your life the way you want to. No one is stopping you.