{"id":2326,"date":"2011-09-22T08:45:28","date_gmt":"2011-09-22T07:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/integrationtraining.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2326"},"modified":"2011-09-22T08:45:28","modified_gmt":"2011-09-22T07:45:28","slug":"praise-of-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.integrationtraining.co.uk\/blog\/2011\/09\/praise-of-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"In Praise of Normal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Until recently weird = good and \u201cnormal\u201d meant not only boring but utterly rubbish. In youthful alternative Brighton where I live this is, ironically, the norm. I have however had quite a radical non-radical change of heart of late. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n

Being Conservative<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m becoming conservative…not I would quickly add a supporter of the UK Conservative Party, but someone interested in conserving that which has been shown to work. Things that work have often lasted and yes of course, change is constant and necessary as new problems require new solutions however change is also dangerous as it takes us away from what is established as effective.<\/p>\n

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Normal is Exceptional<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a screwed up world just establishing a healthy mentality, emotional life and social relations is an exceptional achievement to be aimed at. It\u2019s not cool to have addictions, neurosis and personality disorders, it\u2019s sad. Amy Winehouse gets my compassion not idolatry.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/strong>

normal<\/p><\/div>\n

Special = Ego<\/strong><\/p>\n

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When people try and be special they are normally ego driven. Telling children they are all special unique little snowflakes has turned them into little buggers. The US love of specialness is an ego-driven nightmare and just being normal is the answer. Being normal is enough to be spiritual.<\/p>\n

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Personal Responsibility<\/strong><\/p>\n

Perhaps the single most effective element of leadership courses<\/a> I have been involved with is the notion that we are responsible and not victims. No excuses, the riots weren\u2019t just causes by social factors, but by the fact too that people chose to loot. Being able to attribute behaviour to internal causes (as well as external ones) is a nice normal conservative trait.<\/p>\n

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Loving England<\/strong><\/p>\n

I love England. Not in a crazy white-power Nazi way, but in a familiar, normal, conservative way. I love how we normally cue, I love the normal non-extreme weather, I love our bland normal food. This is a normal place and I love it.<\/p>\n

The Ultimate Personal Development<\/strong><\/p>\n

From extensive research in the area and in-depth conversations with others in the field I am wondering if the ultimate personal development isn\u2019t the following:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0 To dedicate oneself to a career in service of others<\/p>\n

–\u00a0 To develop strong family bonds, intimate relationships and long-term friendships<\/p>\n

–\u00a0 To support and be involved with your community at regional and national levels<\/p>\n

This is basically a normal life as my parents have lived, so maybe it\u2019s time to stop trying to be special and just get on with being normal.<\/p>\n

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