Striving to be ‘normal’ is the unspoken mantra in today’s fast paced society as people are unwittingly lead into thinking that ‘abnormal’ is some how deficient and substandard. This quest for normality is understandable as from an early age we are forced into a way of being that requires us to fit in. We can all recall some time during our schooling/childhood where either we stood out for one reason or another or there was another child whose face, clothes, attitude etc. didn’t fit and so we/they stood out when we/they desperately wanted to fit in
And if that was not enough we/they were constantly reminded that we/they were far from being ‘normal’.
The transition from childhood to adulthood does not make this process any easier, again we try hard to be part of the crowd, to fit in with our peers and not be, do or say any thing that would mean we stand out from the crowd and even if we decide standing out is acceptable either we are not confident enough to hold our own or those we hold near and dear keep reminding us not to rock the boat bringing us back to the ‘norm’.
But for those of us who choose to go confidently against the grain success beckons as we discover a little known fact that requires the authentic self to step up to the plate and make itself heard. We discover the power in acting/being natural. Why is this important and why does this have a significant impact? Simply put, the ‘norm’ requires you to respond or act according to ‘a standard, model, or pattern regarded as typical’ Essentially your behaviour is based less on who you are right now and more on who you used to be and how other people have responded to the same or similar situation or circumstance. On the other hand being natural frees you up to be more of who you were created to be and requires the authentic you to step up to the plate and respond ‘..easily or spontaneously’ basing your decisions on the current situation and not what might have been relevant for another person and for another moment in time.
How do you know the difference?
When a situation arises do you require evidence and information from times gone by? And do you look closely to how lists of people, who are nothing, like you and some of whom you have never met, for help and guidance to inform the decision at hand? If this is the case chances are you are acting normally and not naturally.
How can you be more authentic?
When that situation arises as it invariably will, stop, take a breath and quietly ask your inner you for advice and the course of action it would recommend. You will find that you will feel more comfortable with your decision and you would have reached that decision much quicker.
Choose today to be the day you stop being normal and you start being natural.