Do you ever wonder what “normal” is? And is there really “a normal”? I was talking to my Mom and she and her friends were talking about the effects in business of the “new normal”. My question to you is what does normal mean? When I was doing IQ testing we knew what the range of “normal intelligence” was, however even within that range everyone’s profile was different. So what does normal really mean? You could have “normal intelligence” but have a terrible time reading because you have learning disabilities. So if you have learning disabilities, you aren’t normal anymore? Or you can have normal intelligence but be a gifted genius at playing a musical instrument. So how is that “normal”? Am I abnormal because I can’t play the piano well? (I’m sure my friends and family don’t think I’m normal but it’s not because I can’t play the piano.) So the idea of a “new normal” gets very complicated.
Here are just a few of the “new normals”…
- You break off a relationship by texting instead of doing it in person
- When buying new sheets instead of just choosing by color, you choose by thread count
- In Real Estate, transactions are not regular sales, they’re frequently “short sales”
- Instead of staying in the corporate world, droves of people are now entrepreneurs
- When making a new friend you don’t get a phone number, you Facebook them
- Adult children aren’t living on their own, they are moving back “home”
- Instead of “normal” TV, they have expanded and enhanced HD
- The Dow Jones Average goes down more than it’s up
- You don’t write checks, you pay bills on line
Is any of this “normal” or even customary? Maybe…maybe not. I think it’s more about change and then about choice. How do you participate in those which you can’t change, and which do you want to participate in? I just bought a new set of sheets and I love the new normal of sheet buying. That thread count is great in helping me decide which sheets I want to purchase. Now the economic new normal, I would love to be able to choose something different. How do you handle that; it’s out of your control. So do you spend a lot of time continually complaining and worrying? Yes, you could do that. But my thought is the same as before… what really is “normal” and is this about a change that is needed but not so easy to navigate?
Are you “normal” and thinking some of these “new normals” don’t seem so wonderful? Sometimes during change the transition seems chaotic. What do you do? You can buy into “new normal” because no amount of complaining will bring back the “old normal”. Or you can decide how you want to respond to these “new normals”. Remember, what used to be is gone.
So what’s best for you? A great idea is to take a quick pause, look deep inside, turn up the volume on your inner voice and see how to choose a way to handle these changes. With all the “new normals” there’s so much variety in how you respond… what you do… and how you let it affect you. Don’t forget, there’s still room for you to choose. If you really want to get someone’s cell phone number instead of becoming a Facebook friend, no one is stopping you. Part of what makes each of us unique is that none of us is “normal”. We are unique individuals. So you can choose! Don’t forget, part of the key is in how you react to the “new normal”. I know it’s easy to forget and get caught in the undertow of all the changes happening. I think each day brings a “new normal”. I have decided just to get on the ride because not getting on requires way too much energy. And remember the pause that refreshes: Take a moment and go inside and ask, “What works the best for me?” I love the new set of sheets I just bought. I love the “new normal’ of thread counts.
Definitely not normal, what fun would that be,
Bonnie
P.S. Post your thoughts on what you see as a “new normal”.
I definitely have a “new normal” in the past year. After being diagnosed with ADHD back in November, I’ve come to a lot of realizations for myself and for my oldest daughter (who also has ADHD). What is normal for us, would not be considered normal for most others. Being easily distracted is normal for us. Loosing a thought in the middle of a sentence is normal for us. I no longer get frustrated with myself when I forget what I was talking about, because I now realize that is normal for me, and it’s not something I can control, therefore is not something I need to get myself all worked up over. It’s normal for ME!
Sherra, You have spoken to many and I hope have “normalized” what many would consider not only not “normal” and not okay. You are so courageous sharing something so personal helping many understand we are just wired differently and are really unique. I have worked with many with different brain wiring (ADHD if we must use a label). There are common traits but each person is still so very unique and gifted in their own way. I believe we have to as a society to start to recognize our differences is what makes us unique. We have to focus on our strengths not our weaknesses. As we do that and partner together with others we make what we do stronger. And in the end we affect and change the world in a positive ways!
Thank you for sharing the “new normal” of acceptance,
Bonnie
I have another “new normal” to add to your list… it’s how most people don’t even have house phones anymore! I feel like such a dinosaur having one but we rarely get cell service here so we don’t have a choice. A lot of people just don’t understand that. “What do you MEAN you don’t use a cell phone?” LOL
Dear Kimberly,
Isn’t it sad some people don’t know we have a choice of what we do or buy into. Hello, would you have more fun if you were struggling with poor cell signal and dropped calls. Mmm good reception or a poor connection-which is better?
So here is to the “old new normal” of the ease of a house phone connection,
Bonnie