Thought for the Week
Five years ago, in the midst of the pandemic, there was a lot of talk about adjusting to “the New Normal.” The phrase got old fast. But not the struggle. And now, it seems, we’re adjusting again. Some talk of getting back to the Old Normal. Others wonder whether we can, or even should. Is there a New New Normal? And if so, how do we get there? If there even is a “there.”
“Normal is just a setting on the dryer.” ~Patsy Clairmont
“Wherever you are is the entry point.” ~Kabir
“Civilized life, you know, is based on a huge number of illusions in which we all collaborate willingly. The trouble is we forget after a while that they are illusions and we are deeply shocked when reality is torn down around us.” ~J.G. Ballard
“Those who hunger for a return to normal must have at sometime in the past believed that what they had was normal.” ~Amelia Rose
Unless one starts afresh about things, one will certainly do nothing effective.” ~G.K. Chesterton
“Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” ~Winston Churchill
“Birthing is never easy or without pain, be it a universe, a child, or a fresh start in life. Contraction precedes expansion. Darkness comes before dawn. Joy follows pain. This is the way of things.” ~John Mark Green
“We will not compare ourselves with each other, as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.” ~Galatians 5:26 (The Message)
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” ~Marcel Proust
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” ~Helen Keller
“What if it’s the there
and not the here
that I long for?
The wander
and not the wait,
the magic
in the lost feet
stumbling down
the faraway street
and the way the moon
never hangs
quite the same.”
~Tyler Knott Gregson
That Helen Keller quote is so true. Great post
Thanks, L.G.
Helen Keller was such a positive light in this world-still is. 🙂
Very true, Nancy.
Good quotes, Mitch. Identify with John .ark Green’s observation, which I have always said in my own words: “you got a have final exams before you get summer vacation.”
Obviously I didn’t proofread that comment. 🙄 Of course, the most radical example is, “You gotta die before you get to go to heaven.” (All Rapture-related discussion notwithstanding).
;>)
When things get unnatural, I take a step back, away from reactionary judgments, out of the ego mind identity as much as possible. Things that are difficult to believe or comprehend how they can even be happening are not worth putting any attention on (energy into) as it just feeds into the lies, the darkness and confusion. Going within is the way to get to the truest “there,” and then working your way out carefully with clarity, compassion and love. (My thoughts here are influenced by current reading: Change Your Mind by RJ Spina.) Thanks for sharing a thought-provoking post!
This really got me thinking about how “normal” is such a moving target. I’ve been working with some estate planning lawyers recently, and it’s wild how much of what we call “normal” is just planning for the unexpected. Definitely feels like we’re all trying to navigate some version of a New New Normal these days!
It certainly does, Jeanie.
Love these quotes and a perfect time in our lives to ponder this question too:) I think I ran away from normal at 18 and never looked back:)
Me too!
as of age 43
From my experience, normal just means boring!
I would love to have normal these days.
“Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.” ― Charles Addams
!!
or what if the new normal just sucks …
My new normal is still forming. OUR new normal is not allowed to form, yet.
Exactly, Carol.
This hit right in the soul. The idea of a ‘New Normal’ always felt like someone trying to wrap chaos in nice packaging. Truth is, life’s never been normal, it’s been wild, painful, beautiful, messy, and sometimes downright bizarre. And maybe that’s the point. I’ll take the magic in lost feet and moonlight that won’t behave on any day. Thank you for this
My pleasure, Mae.
I agree with Patsy Clairmont’s quote.
“Normal,” it would seem, depends on a person’s experience. A roundtable discussion of the topic might produce as many descriptions of “normal” as there are people at the table–which could be interesting!
So true, Nancy!
Love all these quotes! My husband used to say there is no such thing as normal. I’d reply, look on the washing machine!
;>)
Great quotes, Mitch and every one of them makes an excellent point. I’ve always believed that “normal” fluctuates and is what a person experiences on any given day … and that there are no two normals that any two folks share.
do you have pen & paper
The world is always changing. There’s no “normal.” I love that Helen Keller quote. I adore her.
The bit about here and there, and weather it exists, reminds of a skit on Sesame St with Ernie and Bert.
Bert wants to be there, but when he arrives, it is ‘here’.., so in a sense, you can never get ‘there’
;>)
beautifull picture 👍
Wow, a great insightful post to start the morning! As I’m healing from my cancer surgery, my favorite thing to say has been “Life seems normal again!” (And for me, it’s an exciting life). Then my acupuncturist who worked with cancer patients at one point in his career told me it will be better than ever. That he’s seen cancer patients recover and their life is better than it ever was before, that something changes and something spectacular happens. I believe he’s right because I’ve seen this in other areas of my life. When someone special dies, my career takes a huge shift for the better. Not that it makes up for the loss, but life just seems that way, that there’s always that gorgeous light at the end of the tunnel — if you want it.
Life is truly a gift, Maryanne. And death too, I think (in God’s time), is somehow a part of that gift.
And some like the death gift more than others, anticipating it.
Sadly, yes.
You are a master of quotations. Really enjoy that aspect and the introduction to persons I may never know otherwise. It is interesting the commonality of thought between a diverse group of people. Just a note: The New Normal was a phrase introduced for me after the 9/11 attack. Turns out it is often used!
It has been around for a while, Gerry. And thank you–I do enjoy curating quotations.
For me, normal means God is ultimately in charge. And with that in mind, I vote for normal! And believe it will always be with us……
To me normal is in the mind of men. I prefer being in the now with God and with that in mind I vote for His creative norm. Loved the story—beautifully written. Blessings and Peace my friend!
And blessings and peace to you, my friend.
Great post!
Thanks, Mel!
Looking at the 30,000 ft perspective, I believe this quote truly fits what’s going on. “Birthing is never easy or without pain, be it a universe, a child, or a fresh start in life. Contraction precedes expansion. Darkness comes before dawn. Joy follows pain. This is the way of things.” ~John Mark Green. I believe humanity is going through a long, protracted birthing process into what astrologists call the Age of Aquarius, what religions refer to as Armageddon, and what fellow energy healers see as an elevation of humanity where “that which no longer serves us” is fighting tooth and nail to stay relevant. That said, isn’t normal really just a setting on a washing machine?
Good quotes 🧡
You offer much to think about with these quotes.
Like the Proust quote. We are too busy to stop and open our peepers. There is a lot to see as we journey through the day.
There certainly is, Geoff.
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Thank you for sharing, Mitch!
I was searching for Helen Keller and your post appeared.
My pleasure, Loku, and glad you landed on this post.