The Normal Allure

Erich Fromm is a good read on the subject and probably available at the public library:

http://www.amazon.com/Have-Be-Erich-...dp/0826417388/

So, it seems, normal should better be described as "the average" for your culture and circumstances. If I was normal right now I would be driving my SUV that contained 2.5 kids to ballet and soccer practice.

But that isn't me and never will be.

I'm a fake normal: a van, two kids (the 2) and three dogs (the .5), and we play D and D on schedule.

So, like, see? You can have the best of both worlds!!!

I don't necessarily want to be normal -- whatever that is -- I want to change actions that prevent me from having the life I want.

Well put, Upr!!

When I have studied normal appearing people, by attaching myself to them, befriending them, spenfing time with them, etc. I have found they were fake. Seriously.

When I would spot a person that appeared as if they did not have a mental illness & I had the opportunity, I would try to get closer to them, to figure out what was different about them. What did they have that I didn't. In all studies concluded I came to find that all of them were screwed up too! Not as seriously as I am, admittedly, but I have been able to find one person that I would say is mentally healthy.

That being said, in all fairness I must add, there were a number of folks that I tried to study, but for various reasons, could not conclude the study. Either they were no longer available or I was not. Most of these people were co-workers, although some were church members, acquaintences & so on.

Am I to surmise that everyone is mentally ill to some extent? I dunno, but it is a strong possibility. I do know that many people hide their problems rather than dealing with them,