What’s a “real” person? For that matter, what’s a “normal” person? Because apparently there’s such a thing as a fake person. An “abnormal” person. I work for a yoga company, and when I post an inspiring pose of someone doing the splits, or balancing in handstand, I (without fail) will see a comment like:
“Why don’t you post pictures of real people doing yoga?”
“Why not post a picture of a pose a normal person could do?”
Ever see a comment like this? So, what is normal? Because I’m a little bit confused. If normal is average, why would you want to be average? This makes me angry, because this is the sort of mindset that gets passed onto kids. Kids with dreams of doing something great, who are then told to play it safe. Turn on the tv and do something normal. But what if normal is average, and what if our definition of “average” is depression. A zoned out life. What if average is defined by the word “repeat.” Repeat your life everyday. Repeat the same patterns, the same commute, the same insecurities, the same gossip with friends. Don’t try to do something you “can’t do.” Don’t attempt to leave the world of the “average,” the “normal.”
Because I’m not special, so stop flaunting photos of abnormal people accomplishing feats that I will never do.
But what if we are special. What if it was normal to think that way. What if it was normal to risk and to hone our talents. What if it was abnormal to doubt to the point of burying everything that ever lived inside of us and wanted to break free and shout “Let Me Breathe!” I could do the splits if you only gave me a chance to try. What if we lifted each other up, instead of pushing each other down with poisonous phrases like “be realistic.” We can get so comfortable in our cozy blankets of “normal.” Wrapped up in front of the tv, watching and idolizing and tearing apart those who failed to follow the rules, stood out from the crowd and dared to be fearless, strong and bold.
This weekend I went on a long 15k run with my boyfriend around the seawall. My ipod stopped working, and as I ran I pushed against insecurity after insecurity (no longer able to hide beneath my music and podcasts). Every time I picked up the pace, my mind would push against my strides: “Stop! You can’t do that.” I’d immediately slow down, afraid of tiring myself out. I already “knew” what I could do. I was afraid to do more, because then I might fail. I knew I could finish the run at this pace, but if I went faster? I didn’t want to fail. Fear of failure keeps us normal. And a comfort zone that fancies itself as “normal” never stretches.
Go ahead. Ask for normal. Keep believing that other people who are going out there and doing it are “abnormal” or different from you. But know that by asking for normal, you’re keeping yourself stuck. Stuck in habits and stuck in fear.
“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”
– Wilma Rudolph