Being "Normal": Why It's Overrated

Nice people, they still exist?

Maybe it's from all of us growing up in cliques, or watching movies like Mean Girls, or just simply not really caring about other people that we as a society just started to forget about displaying common courteousy to others.

Since my injury, I've been quite observant of the way people treat me and the way I treat others. I can tell when someone is timid talking to me, nervous, or treating me differently. Maybe it's because I'm different than others or maybe it's because they're different.

In high school, I never had trouble fitting in. But I always did have a problem with saying no to things. I guess I felt like I never wanted to miss out on anything all my friends were doing. Some may of considered me a leader back then but I always felt more like a follower. But thats high school, you grow up a lot in those 4 years and discover a lot of new things about yourself.

In my sophmore year of high school when I sustained a spinal cord injury, things changed for me even if I was ready or not to accept them. Thats when I learned doing what everyone else was doing was no longer an option for me anymore.

Of course, I have a great family and amazing friends but unfortunately my situation made me feel like I no longer fit in with anybody.

It's important to feel important. Everybody in life wants to be accepted in some way. Whether it's with friends, new co workers, by your family, opposite sex, or same sex. Feeling accepted makes you feel good.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that just because someone doesn't weigh 100 bs, eat meat, have big boobs, like boys/girls, has one arm, has one leg, or uses a wheelchair instead of their legs doesn't mean that they should be treated any differently. If we all embraced our inner selves and stopped trying to fit in could you imagine the rad world we would live in? You are one in a million, literally! We were born to stand out not fit in.

We are all imperfect humans. That's how we were made and that is how we live, imperfectly in a imperfect world made by a perfect God.

So stop acting like you are all better than one another. It is human nature to want to be better than your competitor whether it's sports or business but you don't need to knock other people down to build yourself higher up.

First, stop thinking that your money automatically makes you better than someone who doesn't make the same amount you do. We are all living in the same world, you might be driving a BMW in comparison to my Honda but your salary doesn't make me owe you anything in any way.

If you do possess that kind of money, contribute to people who desperately need it. During this holiday season, start thinking of others before yourself. You could truly make a difference in someone's life with one small donation.

Second, don't tear people down because they are different than you. Whether they do things differently, or have different interest than everybody else. You never know the battle they are fighting, on the inside and outside.

Remember how far the little gestures in life go. Smile at people you don't know. Why not? They could be having the worst day and your smile could maybe turn it right around.

As we grow older we know everyone lives busy lives, but go the extra mile for someone not to get anything in return just because you want to help them. My best friends made an appearance at my mom's best friend's funeral this weekend. Did they know her as well as us? Probably not, but they care about our family so they were there to show their support. They'll never know how much it meant for me to have them by my side that day.

Branch out of your comfort zone. Stand up for the people you love and stand by them when you are needed. Let the good in your life outweigh the bad. Make a difference and leave your mark on this world.

Lastly, be brave enough to stand up for what YOU believe in. Set your mind to whatever you want and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Besides, life on earth is temporary. God decides how long we get to stay down here and play so go out there and make him proud. That's what we were made to do.

So if you feel like you don't fit in don't trip potato chip.

The best ones usually don't anyways ;)

Xoxo,

A Guy's Girl