The complacency of normal
Don't get me wrong. Normal isn't innately a bad word. In fact, normal can be a very good thing. Normal blood pressure; normal temperature; normal readings; normal results. Those are all good things. Everyone knows having normal blood pressure is tantamount to your health.
The first definition of the word normal (as given to me by Google): conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
Here's my problem with normal: normal becomes routine, which opens the door to monotony and to boring. Boring in turn invites complacency, and the dangerous thing is that complacency can easily slide into stagnancy, all before you even notice that you've left routine behind. Stagnancy is characterized by lack of development, advancement or progressive movement (again, as given to me by Google). Stagnant ponds are bacteria's breeding ground. Stagnant friendships quietly fade away to nothing. Stagnant marriages can quickly give way to infidelity or divorce.
Here's my point: don't allow the "normal" in your life to drag you past the point of complacency and into stagnancy.
I chose a career that is anything but normal. Anything but usual, typical, or expected. It can be challenging, but it is rewarding. There are days I love it but really don't like it. The odd day I wonder what I did with my life. Most days I come home exhausted. But almost everyday I come home invigorated. Almost every day I wake up enthusiastic.
Does this sound like your life?
I'm not saying that you should quit your job tomorrow and start training horses. That's probably a poor life choice. Chances are you'll greatly dislike it (especially if you don't know anything about horses). But I am suggesting that you take a good look into your own life. Do you feel stagnant? Is it exceptionally difficult getting out of bed on a Monday because you dread going to work? Have you lost a friendship that used to be a huge part of your life to complacency?
This is going to sound cliche, but life really is too short. One of my best friends is going through a third life crisis. Okay, she hasn't technically had the first two life crisis', but since she turns 30 shortly, we've been calling it her third life crisis. She realized she really doesn't like what she's doing in her career. It's become stagnant; toxic. So she's preparing herself to make a change and I admire her for that. Because making a career change has a price. That price may be reflected on the pay cheque. You may start out on the bottom of the totem pole. You may have to learn a whole new set of skills and make a mess doing so. You may not work a 9 to 5 anymore. But you may just become invigorated and enthusiastic. And that is how you grow and develop; how you'll get the most out of life.
If your life is in dire need of a change, and you're just starting to realize that, I'd like to encourage you. Be bold and take that step. Get past the idea (more on this next time) and get moving. Complacency will never get you there. To get out of doing what is "normal", you may just have to get past the typical and do the unexpected.
The first definition of the word normal (as given to me by Google): conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
Here's my problem with normal: normal becomes routine, which opens the door to monotony and to boring. Boring in turn invites complacency, and the dangerous thing is that complacency can easily slide into stagnancy, all before you even notice that you've left routine behind. Stagnancy is characterized by lack of development, advancement or progressive movement (again, as given to me by Google). Stagnant ponds are bacteria's breeding ground. Stagnant friendships quietly fade away to nothing. Stagnant marriages can quickly give way to infidelity or divorce.
Here's my point: don't allow the "normal" in your life to drag you past the point of complacency and into stagnancy.
I chose a career that is anything but normal. Anything but usual, typical, or expected. It can be challenging, but it is rewarding. There are days I love it but really don't like it. The odd day I wonder what I did with my life. Most days I come home exhausted. But almost everyday I come home invigorated. Almost every day I wake up enthusiastic.
Does this sound like your life?
I'm not saying that you should quit your job tomorrow and start training horses. That's probably a poor life choice. Chances are you'll greatly dislike it (especially if you don't know anything about horses). But I am suggesting that you take a good look into your own life. Do you feel stagnant? Is it exceptionally difficult getting out of bed on a Monday because you dread going to work? Have you lost a friendship that used to be a huge part of your life to complacency?
This is going to sound cliche, but life really is too short. One of my best friends is going through a third life crisis. Okay, she hasn't technically had the first two life crisis', but since she turns 30 shortly, we've been calling it her third life crisis. She realized she really doesn't like what she's doing in her career. It's become stagnant; toxic. So she's preparing herself to make a change and I admire her for that. Because making a career change has a price. That price may be reflected on the pay cheque. You may start out on the bottom of the totem pole. You may have to learn a whole new set of skills and make a mess doing so. You may not work a 9 to 5 anymore. But you may just become invigorated and enthusiastic. And that is how you grow and develop; how you'll get the most out of life.
If your life is in dire need of a change, and you're just starting to realize that, I'd like to encourage you. Be bold and take that step. Get past the idea (more on this next time) and get moving. Complacency will never get you there. To get out of doing what is "normal", you may just have to get past the typical and do the unexpected.
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