Tonight I found myself singing to myself that ridiculous song “Human Again” from The Princess and the Frog as we finished cleaning up dishes and tidying up from dinner. The crazy part is I wasn’t singing it in a happy and sweet tone. It kind of sounded like a remix of Marilyn Manson and Johnny Cash version of “Human Again” (whatever that means but that’s what came to mind) In reality I don’ t even know what”human” again means. What is “human”? Is being “human” when things are “normal”. What is “normal”?
I think society has this subliminal expectation for us to be “normal”, to be cookie cutter individuals hoe-humming along as we happily go to work and then return home at a normal time to enjoy a simple dinner and then go to bed so we can start over again. Whether your day is at work or at home, it is supposed to be exciting, happy and completely effortless. Society sets these incredible expectations to look good, do everything, enjoy your job, clean house, go here, do this but with little effort because everything is supposed to be “easy”. All these messages in all possible facets are bombarding us with what we are supposed to be and do.
Well, I am sorry but as much as I think I want to be “human” or “normal”, it just doesn’t feel right when I think about what makes me happy and what is best for my family. I don’t fit in any cookie cutter or in any personality box. I work hard, I stay positive and I do my best. Sometimes my best isn’t the best that I experienced the day before but hey, it’s my best, and my best will continue to vary on a daily basis. And I can guarantee that every now and then someone will be disappointed, but that’s my prerogative not theirs. Sometimes we have to cry or release our anger. To feel your emotions is real, it is “human”. I was really good at holding back my emotions until I couldn’t handle it anymore. A lot of good that did me, lol! I embrace these emotions now and see a grand difference in my everyday life. That is a success in itself. The pressure to be the perfect wife and the efficient working mom thriving at her job but handling the household like a beast or to stay at home and domesticate the house with crafts and sweet pastries with all the time in the world are unreal. There is no “normal”. Just me and my family and our special circumstances. I am a woman, wife, mother, sister, teacher, friend, and entrepreneur. I am organized in some areas, a hot mess in others, I have dreams, I have dislikes, I hold back, I over do it,etc. There is no possible way to fit the societal expectation of all these things if I expect to be 1) Sane 2) Myself and 3) HUMAN!!!!!
Embrace the beauty in being you! You are who you are and all you can do is all you can do! Society embraces Hollywood as the Holy Grail and pushes these ideas on us too much. We treat Facebook as a looking glass constantly asking “Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all” and doubt the greatness in our own lives because we aren’t doing what Sally is doing or don’t have what Bob has. Let’s face it, there is no normal, just life! Life is full of changes and curve balls. We don’t have to do it all in order to be it all. We just have to be ourselves. That is the true essence to being Human. If life were easy we would live life like our pets, being fed, walked, and chillin’ until our owner’s came home. Life isn’t easy it is a constant cycle of evolution. We constantly change and grow, we become wise and aware of the limitless opportunities laid before us. To accept the real you! As much as you want to be able to do it all, you just might have to say “not this time” and accept it. Set your standards high and strive for the impossible for great things and for success, just keep “you” in the formula of success.
P.S. Speaking of human, I of course was singing “Human again” in my mind thinking of the Princess and the Frog song but really was thinking of “When we’re human”….”Human again” is from Beauty and the Beast…my sweet husband had to point this out to me but I’m keeping it as it is because….I’m human, a stubborn human, but human! LMAO!
