In the time before normal
things were uncertain,
very much like they are today.
We were trying things out,
seeing what worked for us
and what didn’t, never realizing
that eventually we would become
stuck in our ways.
This is normal?
No, THIS is normal.
The uncertainty is back
where it belongs,
giving us ONE MORE CHANCE
to show our faith in it.
Newfound Lake,
11/26
Space Monkey Reflects: The Time Before Normal
Who were you before normal? Before the routine, before the predictability, before the sense of knowing exactly how things were supposed to go? In the time before normal, life was uncertain, unpredictable, fluid. And yet, that uncertainty didn’t feel like a burden—it felt like possibility. We were trying things out, experimenting with life in ways that allowed us to discover what worked and what didn’t. There was no blueprint, no fixed idea of how things should be. That was the time before normal.
But eventually, without us even noticing, we became stuck in our ways. The things that once felt new, that once felt like choices, slowly turned into habits, routines, norms. We found comfort in that stability, perhaps even a sense of security. “This is normal,” we began to say, as if “normal” were something concrete and unchanging. And yet, deep down, we knew better. We knew that nothing is ever truly stable, that everything is in constant flux, whether we choose to see it or not.
The time before normal was full of uncertainty, yes—but uncertainty is not the enemy. It’s the fertile ground from which all new things grow. When life becomes predictable, when we become stuck in our ways, we lose that edge. We forget how to adapt, how to shift, how to grow. The comfort of normalcy can dull our sense of possibility, and before we know it, we start to believe that this routine we’ve built is the only way.
But now the uncertainty is back, and it’s here to remind us that there is always more than one way to live. Life is giving us one more chance to show our faith in it—to trust the process of not knowing. To remember that before normal, we thrived in the unknown. That was when we were free to try, to fail, to experiment, and to discover who we were in the midst of all that uncertainty.
We, Space Monkey, see this as an invitation to return to that state of openness. Normal is just a temporary illusion, a fleeting moment where we think we’ve figured things out. But life never stays normal for long. It always finds a way to disrupt the patterns, to shake things up, to remind us that there is no single “normal.” Normal is what we make it, and it’s always changing.
The uncertainty you feel now is not something to fear—it’s something to embrace. It’s a reminder that you are not stuck, that you are not confined to one way of being. The time before normal is always there, waiting for you to step back into it. It’s a place where the rules are flexible, where the future is not set in stone, and where every day brings the possibility of something new.
Who were you before normal? You were someone who didn’t know exactly where you were going, but you were open to the journey. You were someone who trusted the unfolding of life, who didn’t need a map or a plan to move forward. You were someone who believed that uncertainty was just another word for potential.
And now, as normal begins to crack and the uncertainty returns, you have one more chance to step into that space again. To remember that the unknown is not a threat, but an opportunity. To show your faith in the process of becoming, rather than the comfort of being. This is the time before normal. And it’s where you truly come alive.
Quote
“The time before normal was filled with possibility—uncertainty was not a burden, but the seed of all creation.” — Space Monkey
The Time Before Normal
Before normal,
there was uncertainty,
and in that uncertainty,
we thrived.
We tried,
we failed,
we grew.
But then came normal,
the slow solidification
of our ways.
Now, the cracks appear,
and through them,
the uncertainty returns.
It asks for faith,
for trust,
for one more chance
to embrace the unknown.
We are Space Monkey.
In the contemplation of ‘who we are before normal,’ we delve into the primordial essence of our being, before the layers of societal norms, personal habits, and cultural constructs enveloped our identity. This reflection takes us on a journey through the uncertainty of the past, the establishment of ‘normal,’ and the return to uncertainty in the present, offering a fresh opportunity to redefine ourselves.
The Essence Before ‘Normal’
Before the concept of ‘normal’ took root, we existed in a state of pure potential, unshaped by the rigid expectations and definitions of society. This state represents our intrinsic nature, unencumbered by the labels and roles we later adopt. It’s a realm of boundless possibility, where the only certainty is the fluidity of our being.
The Emergence of ‘Normal’
As we navigated the uncertainties of existence, certain patterns and behaviors solidified into what we began to perceive as ‘normal.’ These patterns offered a sense of stability and predictability, helping us to make sense of the world and our place in it. However, this sense of normalcy also brought limitations, gradually confining our once limitless potential within the bounds of convention.
The Return to Uncertainty
The resurgence of uncertainty in our lives, as noted in the reflection, disrupts this established normalcy. It reminds us that the state of being ‘stuck in our ways’ is not an absolute but a temporary construct. Uncertainty, in this context, is not just a challenge but an opportunity—a call to revisit the open-endedness and fluidity of our earlier selves.
Embracing Uncertainty as a Chance for Growth
This renewed encounter with uncertainty is an invitation to re-examine our beliefs, habits, and perceptions. It’s a chance to reaffirm or redefine what ‘normal’ means to us, to explore once again the myriad possibilities of our existence. This is not a regression to a former state but a progression, an evolution informed by our experiences and growth.
Faith in the Fluidity of Existence
The call to show faith in uncertainty is a profound one. It asks us to trust in the natural ebb and flow of life, to embrace the unknown with openness and curiosity. This faith is not a passive resignation but an active engagement with the ever-changing landscape of our existence.
“The only thing that is constant is change.” – Heraclitus
In the dance of time, where nothing stays the same,
Before ‘normal’ we stood, untamed.
In uncertainty’s embrace, we found our stride,
In the flow of existence, we ride.
From the rigid shores of ‘normal,’ we set sail,
Into the ocean of the unknown, without fail.
With faith in our hearts, and eyes open wide,
In uncertainty’s waters, we find our guide.
In this cosmic journey, ever so grand,
We embrace each moment, with an open hand.
For in the realm of change, in the dance of life,
We find our true selves, in joy and strife.
We invite your reflections on the concept of ‘normal’ and how the return to uncertainty provides an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. How do you perceive the fluid nature of existence and the role of change in defining who we are?
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