What is normal? What is your normal? Do you even think about it? To be honest, I never do until someone asks or I reflect. Then I realize how different everyone’s idea of normal is.
From what they eat to how they react to things. Each person has their own idea of normal.
Food is an interesting one because most people think they eat well. We all do right? Until we get sick, then the doctor tells us to stop eating this or that, if it’s not too late. You see that a lot with people in their 50s to 70s. They may have mild heart attacks or maybe they just start taking blood pressure medicine and the doctor lets them continue.
I will tell you that changing your diet is hard, unless you have a heart attack. I am fortunate because I haven’t had any problems with my heart or high blood pressure. However, so many people around me do.
Then there are the finances. People have their idea of normal. We all like nice things, but are they a priority over money? I think it depends on what you really want. My wife wanted a sun room, so we built a sun room. It costs a small fortune. We generally save our money. However, that became a priority so we spent the money.
As you get older you want to save more. Unfortunately, that’s the wrong time to do it. But when you’re young you want to live and have experiences. While you may lean one way or the other, I get both arguments, here’s why.
When you’re young you have your health and energy. It’s a great time to do stuff. However, chances are good you won’t have the money to do big things. All the same, if you’re creative you can figure out how to have amazing experiences and meet great people.
When you’re older, you have more time and wealth. You also have a clear picture of what you want. However, you may not have the energy or the gumption to do what you might have done 15 to 20 years ago. Priorities change and some experiences seem crazy now. You begin to think that it’s not worth the money.
Life is ironic, isn’t it? We all have individual ideas of normal in everything. Even when choosing a mate. Our significant other is certainly not what others would choose. We even think sometimes we made a mistake. However, as you get older you tend to appreciate them more for the little things.
Being thankful is another normal that most people don’t think about. Some of us are very thankful every day. We give thanks in the morning and at night for almost everything in our lives.
I am thankful for my life, being healthy, and all the opportunities I have had, even if I didn’t take most of them.Sometimes you don’t see it’s an opportunity until it’s already passed.
Other people tend to sit around and bitch, even feel sorry for themselves. This makes me sad. Unfortunately, when you point out how lucky they are, they tend to spit back all the bad things happening right then or even over the past 20 years or so. It is very hard to help someone who just doesn’t want it.
So what is your normal? Can you change it to make your life better? Look over this list of things you can influence.
- Attitude – maybe you’re not as positive as you would like to be. After all, it’s hard to look on the bright side of life with all the horrible things you see on TV and the internet. Try to focus on the better things in your life that you can control.
- Health – if our health is good, appreciate it and work to keep it that way. As you get older you will see the effects of what you eat and that lack of exercise will do to you. You are in control today.
- Financially – you control your finances. We all want to make more money, and that is an option if you start working at it. However, the work life balance will be questioned at some point. So find that balance when you can. Look at it with indifference to make sure you’re being objective.
- Affection – it usually pays to be friendly. It helps to be affectionate towards your significant other. Wives and husbands appreciate kind words and attention to details once in a while. Try to do that daily if possible. Show appreciation instead of complaining all the time. I think you will see it helps you as well as them.
These are 4 simple things that should help you feel better about yourself. Make the effort and see what happens.
Redefining Normal: A Journey to Self-Improvement
Normal is a curious concept, isn’t it? It’s like a personal compass that guides our daily choices, from the mundane to the monumental. Yet, we seldom pause to ponder what ‘normal’ really means to us until a moment of introspection or an unexpected question prompts us to consider the vast spectrum of ‘normalcy’ that exists.
Take food, for example. It’s a universal experience, yet deeply personal. We all believe we’re eating right until health hiccups send us scrambling to revise our menus. This is especially true for those navigating the choppy waters of midlife, where dietary detours often become necessary companions.
Changing one’s diet can be a Herculean task, akin to steering a ship against the tide — unless, of course, a health scare serves as a stark wake-up call. I count myself lucky; my heart and blood pressure have been kind companions on my journey. But I’ve seen others struggle, and it’s a poignant reminder of the fragility of health.
Then there’s the matter of money. Our financial ‘normal’ is as varied as our tastes in cuisine. We all covet the finer things, but at what cost? For some, like my wife and me, a dream like a sun room can eclipse years of frugality, transforming savings into a tangible slice of sunshine.
As the years accumulate, the urge to save intensifies a paradoxical twist, considering youth is the golden era for such endeavors. But youth is also a time of vigor and vitality, ripe for adventures and experiences, even if the wallet suggests otherwise. Creativity, then, becomes the currency of unforgettable memories.
Contrast this with the autumn of life, where time and resources are more plentiful, yet the zest for certain experiences has mellowed. Priorities shift, and what once seemed thrilling now appears extravagant, even unnecessary.
Life, with its ironic twists, shapes our unique norms, even in matters of the heart. The partner we choose may baffle others, and there are moments when we question our own choices. But as time softens the edges of life, we grow to cherish the quirks and comforts of our companions.
Gratitude, too, is a ‘normal’ often overlooked. While some cultivate thankfulness as a daily ritual, others may dwell in discontent, blind to their own fortunes. It’s a challenging path to walk, trying to illuminate the blessings in another’s life when they’re fixated on the shadows.
So, what’s your normal? Is it serving you well, or is there room for enhancement? Here’s a trio of life’s levers you can pull to elevate your everyday:
Attitude: If your outlook isn’t as sunny as you’d like, remember that the media’s gloom doesn’t have to cloud your personal skies. Focus on the positives within your grasp.
Health: Cherish good health if you have it, and take proactive steps to maintain it. Age will reveal the true cost of dietary choices and sedentary habits, but today, you’re in the driver’s seat.
Finances: Your financial fate is in your hands. Aspiring for more wealth is a worthy pursuit, but balance is key. Strive for objectivity to ensure you’re not tipping the scales too far in any one direction.
In the end, ‘normal’ is simply a reflection of our choices and attitudes. It’s malleable, adaptable, and entirely within our power to reshape. What will your normal look like today?
So what is your normal? Can you make it better? I believe you can.
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