“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” Phil. 3:14 (NIV).
Throughout my childhood and growing up, I never considered myself “normal.” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, normal is defined as “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern.” I’ve lived in numerous states throughout the Country, in many different geographical locations, and have figured out what’s normal for one person isn’t necessarily normal for another. Some states have pronounced accents, some areas are more laidback, and some locations are very sports-minded while others focus on creative arts.
I have the advantage of being eclectic. My accent is becoming more Midwestern, but it’s still a plethora of different regions of the Country. At times, I have to deliberately think about certain words or force myself to slow down so people can understand what I’m trying to communicate. I grew up in both urban and rural areas, and find I’m drawn to the rural lifestyle. We grow a big garden every summer, plan to raise chickens in our future, and have two plus acres on a quiet street with lots of wildlife. Sometimes I enjoy sitting quietly reading a book while other times I can be nosier than my kids, letting my excitement spill forth singing at the top of my lungs.
However, the one area of my life where I wish to always be declared “abnormal” is in how I choose to live my life. I want my abnormality to spill forth into every crevice. From the books I choose to read, the shows I watch on TV, the hobbies I participate in, to the way I dress, the way I talk, and the way I express my feelings. I don’t want to be considered “normal” according to worldly standards. I want to stand out.
© 2013 Cheri Swalwell