If there is one thing that I’ve learned over these years is that the harder you try to be “normal” the harder life will be. I remember when I was young I wanted to be a part of the Cosby Family so I did everything in my power to envision my family as the Cosby’s. The only problem was I was an only child living with my single mom — a little far off from their brownstone lifestyle.
When I was a teenager, I tried to sculpt my relationships into the ones I saw on shows like Family Matters or even Full House. But unfortunately I wasn’t attracted to the good guys or nerds, more like the thugs or bad boys. Not quite the wholesome TGIF types.
The more and more I tried to act “normal” the more and more I failed at it. I actually thought something was wrong with me. I constantly tried to figure out why I didn’t and couldn’t those molds. Why was it so hard to duplicate those lives?
Then it finally hit me. I was trying to force my life into this “normalcy” box and all it was doing was busting out at the seams. When I actually looked around at my friends and family I noticed that they didn’t fit in this “normal” life either. NO ONE did. This “normalcy” that I was reaching for was really just a fantasy.
The truth is simple — everyone is supposed to live differently. At times it may seem that we walk down similar paths but along the way we experience different steps.
Families are built different (Mom and Dad; Mom only; Dad only; 2 Dads; 2 Moms; Grandparents only; Aunt or Uncle and so on). Relationships are different; what you may go through with your significant other may be totally opposite from those around you. Our careers, how we raise our kids, the friends we keep and so much more are all unique to each of us. And that’s what makes like wonderful.
We must accept our differences; our different looks, our different backgrounds, our different family values, and our different life paths. Our differences are what make us valuable to this world. Live your unique life to the fullest. It’s yours and you only get one!
Have a great week Mid-WYFE Fam!
*DNC
H.E.R. Crisis 
What a great morning read on a day that I’m calling “the 1st day on a new adventure”. Got up at 5:30 AM, like we did when we were in high-school, and navigated the train and bus to the orientation for my doctoral program. I’ll literally be sitting in a sea of 2,000 new students thinking “I’m glad we all decided to be different”! So as my cousin says, step out into the world and set an example. BE DIFFERENT! Thanks NikkiTC!
Yes and happy first day!
Different is normal. Thanks for the lovely reminder. Loved reading this post this morning. Keep them coming, they’re therapeutic.