“Normality is a paved road: it is comfortable to walk on, but no flowers grow on it.”
Vincent Van Gogh
There are certain things we learn in order to live as part of a society that has, at least, the potential to live in harmony. There are orderly patterns that make up our lives, dictated by everything from our natural biology and emotions, to societal pressures and the necessities of survival. To live a normal life is to adhere to those patterns.
Yet, it is seldom those who do so who achieve greatness in any field. It is the rule-breakers, the mavericks, the innovators; it is those who use the imagination to create… it is those ordinary people who end up living extraordinary lives who change the world and the way we see it.
Some actively pursue fame and fortune, bringing all their drive to bear upon the task in hand. Others find a different path leads them away from the security of their own normality and they may find themselves blinking in an unexpected spotlight. For most of us though, ‘normality’ is the path we tread.
Or is it?
How many of us fit the accepted mould of ‘normality’ and what is it anyway? The outer life may have a steady job, marriage, car, dog and… 2.4 children. That ‘.4’ has never struck me as ‘normal’ in any way… average, perhaps, but not what you would call normal. How is slightly less than half a child ‘normal’? The mind boggles…
But what about the inner life? Do you dream? Do you imagine? Do you wish and shape and change your world with every passing thought? Do you look at the stars and wonder? Imagination knows no bounds and creates its own normality… which may be far from the mundane outer world in which many of us must live. And a far cry from some arbitrary normality which refers more to a mathematical average. We are none of us ‘normal’… we are unique.
Those who break free of the accepted norm of the workaday world may find a rocky path ahead, with steep ascents, potholes, uneven surfaces and many twists and turns… but away from the concrete and asphalt is where the wildflowers grow and where wonder awaits over every horizon.
The road that carries us through the realms of necessity can be hard, straight and narrow. That is only part of our lives and we are free to break every limit within the realms of mind… and sometimes imagination spills flowers in our path.
Reblogged this on Stuart France.
Reblogged this on bernmusings.
Reblogging on bernmusings – https://bernmusings.wordpress.com/2020/07/21/normality/
Thankyou for sharing 🙂
The problem with ‘normal’ is that it means so many different things for so many different people…
Just like the word ‘average’…
And ‘average’ never reflects the reality most people know.
Where would we be without imagination and souls 💜
Nonexistent, I believe 😉
Yes indeed 😌
I love that opening quote!
So do I 🙂
“Normality is a paved road: it is comfortable to walk on, but no flowers grow on it.”
Vincent Van Gogh
Such a good quote Sue…..
Thanks, Don, I love Vincent’s insight.
Wow, these are very profound thoughts, I love this post
Thank you, Jude.
My pleasure 🌼
Reblogged this on About the Jez of It and commented:
Living is trusting our instincts and pushing the limits of a normality set by others
Thanks, Jez.
my pleasure x
I think all of us do something that makes our lives extraordinary…
I agree, Jim, which makes ‘normal’ rather special.
🙂
A great post on the subject of “normality”. I breathed a sigh of relief when, unfortunately through illness, I could step off the treadmill I never wanted to be on in the first place. I could see the flowers but was not able to touch them, now I can bend down and smell them too. xxx
That’s a lovely way of looking at it, Adele 🙂 xx
Beautifully said, Sue. I always look for those flowers that many come along my path.
They are always there 😉
😀