[anon text]

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

What does normal mean to you?

Comments

[makewayforroze.livejournal.com]

Isn't it better to use the word "common"? There are a lot of people who are made to feel like they aren't normal here and are told that makes them worse.

[anon forever]

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

And you think common would make them feel better?

I would find that even more offensive.

[makewayforroze.livejournal.com]

It seems saying magic is less common is less offensive than saying magic isn't normal.

I suppose that works best for traits instead of people.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

I think so. Common isn't a good one when talking about people.

[makewayforroze.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it when talking to people. I agree that it wouldn't be nice to call people common.

Why do you ask?

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

... just curiosity. Some people would see being normal as a good thing, while others see it as lacking something in life.

[makewayforroze.livejournal.com]

I had never thought of someone thinking of being normal as a bad thing. What would be lacking?

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

Purpose. A reason to keep going.

[makewayforroze.livejournal.com]

If someone can't find a reason to keep going, I do think they're missing something but I don't think it's because they're normal for their world.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

And what if being normal is part of the reason they're having problems?

[makewayforroze.livejournal.com]

I think everyone has problems, rather or not their normal. If they need help, I would hope they know where to get it. If not and we see them, we should offer it.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

And if that person does their best never to show they're having problems?

[makewayforroze.livejournal.com]

Someone's noticed. Unless that person is you.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

I doubt that. They never really let someone see when something's wrong.

[makewayforroze.livejournal.com]

Even if they don't show they need it, it's alright to offer, isn't it?

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

I suppose.

[negative-five.livejournal.com]

Popular and unnecessary cruel.

[Anon forever]

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

Normal is popular? I don't think I've ever heard of that comparison.

[negative-five.livejournal.com]

It's the "freaks," "losers," and "weirdos" like our Glee club that are the outcasts. Well, most of us, anyway.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

They're not the outcasts to others like them. Like you.

[negative-five.livejournal.com]

Well, of course not. They're my friends.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

So that's what's normal for you, then.

[negative-five.livejournal.com]

I suppose, though I can't say that I associate the word with a positive connotation in the least. Rather, "freak" and "loser" might sound derogatory, but I've come to associate them so closely with me and my friends that I don't mind them any longer.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

It's good you can accept it, then.

[negative-five.livejournal.com]

That I'm a freak? Well, I've been harassed for it more times than I can count.

[video]

[primary-concern.livejournal.com]

I'm going to be honest and say I don't really believe in normal. It's a bit of an arbitrary word.

[anon forever]

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

Then what do you believe in?

[video forever]

[primary-concern.livejournal.com]

Everyone's different. There are shared traits. There's even some traits that are more common than others, but when it comes to people? There's no such thing as normal. It all boils down to whether you're hurting others or not, I think.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

Hurting others is something that I would do my best to keep from happening.

[primary-concern.livejournal.com]

Heh, well, I'm glad to hear that much.

I guess, when it comes to 'normal' there's always something that any group considers normal, then they sort of judge based on how many of those criteria a person fits. I mean, I've tried to fit in before, and then realized it didn't work for me. I still get along just fine. It's just that once you get a label for 'normal' in your head, you look around and in other cities, other countries, things that are considered normal are so different. You go outwards to a place like this, with other worlds, and other planets, and it's even more different. So who can really say what the standard is, you know?

Um, sorry for rambling.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

I'm not. I don't mind the rambling. I have a habit of doing it myself.

I've never been normal. I wasn't supposed to be normal. I'm not even supposed to be here but the purpose I was meant for is gone. That's not a bad thing, really. It's just that what I was doing before was important.

Now? I'm just a student. A good student, but just a student. My friends and I saved the world and now, I'm just a student.

Is it stupid to say that it's a bit of a letdown?

[primary-concern.livejournal.com]

Well, that's a relief.

[he makes a soft, sheepish laugh]

I don't think it's stupid at all. There's something that's really...empowering about being someone who can change the world for the better. Having the power to actually do something, you know? I can't say that if I saved the world, going back to everyday life wouldn't be a letdown.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

It is. I should be happy because I know I shouldn't be here, but I'm just... here.

[primary-concern.livejournal.com]

Feeling letdown isn't the same as wishing it was still all wrong, you know. But uh, what do you mean by knowing you shouldn't be here?

[swordplaying.livejournal.com]

Familiarity.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

Something so simple?

Familiarity breeds contempt. That's the phrase that comes to mind, though.

[swordplaying.livejournal.com]

I don't know how familiarity breeds, but I think most people define normal by what they're used to or expect to be used to. For a lot of people, that's comfortable. But sometimes, what isn't normal is good too. Everyone's different so if someone goes somewhere different they won't be considered normal and that may not be normal for them, so that's how I define it.

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

This is what I should be used to, but I'm not. Everyday life is something I should be happy to have since I shouldn't have it in the first place, but I'm not.

[swordplaying.livejournal.com]

Then maybe it's not your normal. What are you used to?

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

Making a difference.

[swordplaying.livejournal.com]

Is that what you want?

[video]

[material_guy]

It's a standard.

[anon forever]

[infinite-arcana.livejournal.com]

It's a rut.

[video forever]

[material_guy]

So go above or below it.

[shadow_spread]

What's comfortable, I guess.

[hismothersson.livejournal.com]

What kind of normal?

[twotailmechanic.livejournal.com]

The world normal is a rather broad term as the definition of "normal" varies from person to person, especially if it concerns other worlds, since well other worlds may not follow the same rules of reality. Honestly it's hard to say what "normal" really is.

[poison_puppet]

Uh...family, wife and a kid, salaried job at a decent company. You know. Boring, normal life. Not having people try to kill you on a regular basis, that too.