Character of the week: Normality

by Paulo Coelho on June 19, 2011

TRADUCCION EN ESPANOL AQUI>>> Es considerado normal…
TRADUÇÃO EM PORTUGUES AQUI >>>É considerado normal…

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1] Anything that makes us forget our true identity and our dreams and makes us only work to produce and reproduce.

2] Making rules for a war (the Geneva Convention).

3] Spending years at university and then not being able to find a job.

4] Working from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon at something that does not give us the least pleasure, so that we can retire after 30 years.

5] Retiring only to discover that we have no more energy to enjoy life, and then dying of boredom after a few years.

6] Using Botox.

7] Trying to be financially successful instead of seeking happiness.

8] Ridiculing those who seek happiness instead of money by calling them “people with no ambition”.

9] Comparing objects like cars, houses and clothes, and defining life according to these comparisons instead of really trying to find out the true reason for being alive.

10] Not talking to strangers. Saying nasty things about our neighbors.

11] Thinking that parents are always right.

12] Getting married, having children and staying together even though the love has gone, claiming that it’s for the sake of the children (who do not seem to be listening to the constant arguments).

12ª] Criticizing everybody who tries to be different.

14] Waking up with a hysterical alarm-clock at the bedside.

15] Believing in everything that is printed.

16] Wearing a piece of colored cloth wrapped around the neck, known by the pompous name “necktie”.

17] Never asking direct questions, even though the other person understands what you want to know.

18] Keeping a smile on your face when you really want to cry. And feeling sorry for those who show their own feelings.

19] Thinking that art is worth a fortune, or that it is worth absolutely nothing.

20] Always despising what was easily gained, because the “necessary sacrifice” – and therefore also the required qualities – are missing.

21] Following fashion, even though it all looks ridiculous and uncomfortable.

22] Being convinced that all the famous people have tons of money.

23] Investing a lot in exterior beauty and paying little attention to interior beauty.

24] Using all possible means to show that even though you are a normal person, you are infinitely superior to other human beings.

25] In any kind of public transport, never looking straight into the eyes of the other passengers, as this may be taken for attempting to seduce them.

26] When in an elevator, looking straight at the door and pretending you are the only person inside, however crowded it may be.

27] Never laughing out loud in a restaurant, no matter how funny the story is.

28] In the Northern hemisphere, always wearing the clothes that match the season of the year: short sleeves in springtime (however cold it may be) and a woolen jacket in the fall (no matter how warm it is).

29] In the Southern hemisphere, decorating the Christmas tree with cotton wool, even though winter has nothing to do with the birth of Christ.

30] As you grow older, thinking you are the wisest man in the world, even though not always do you have enough life experience to know what is wrong.

31] Going to a charity event and thinking that it is enough to put an end to all the social inequalities in the world.

32] Eating three times a day, even when not hungry.

33] Believing that the others are always better at everything: they are better-looking, more resourceful, richer and more intelligent. Since it’s very risky to venture beyond your own limits, it’s better to do nothing.

34] Using the car as a way to feel powerful and in control of the world.

35] Using foul language in traffic.

36] Thinking that everything your child does wrong is the fault of the company he or she is keeping.

37] Marrying the first person who offers a position in society. Love can wait.

38] Always saying “I tried”, even though you haven’t tried at all.

39] Putting off doing the most interesting things in life until you no longer have the strength to do them.

40] Avoiding depression with massive daily doses of television programs.

41] Believing that it is possible to be sure of everything you have won.

42] Thinking that women don’t like football and that men don’t like interior decoration.

43] Blaming the government for everything bad that happens.

44] Being convinced that being a good, decent and respectful person means that the others will find you weak, vulnerable and easy to manipulate.

45] Being convinced that aggressiveness and discourtesy in treating others are signs of a powerful personality.

46] Being afraid of fibroscopy (men) and childbirth (women).

47] And finally, thinking that your religion is the sole proprietor of the absolute truth, the most important, the best, and that the other human beings in this immense planet who believe in any other manifestation of God are condemned to the fires of hell.
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list compiled by Igor, the main character of “The Winner stands alone”

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{ 291 comments… read them below or add one }

dominique July 13, 2011 at 4:54 am

Paulo, like you said it’s good to act against like we used to act.. I believe, we as human, especially me, always doing the list above.. That’s a truth and the fact..

I still don’t know, why human right now is so difficult to act so normal?

Hope & I believe, there’s someone equally with my thought and feeling, like you Paulo..

By the way, I had to read your “Eleven Minutes”.. So explicit but valuable as usual for seeing the really real of life..

Bravo, Obrigada Paulo!
xo

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suhas June 28, 2011 at 6:40 pm

good one…u truly identified all men!

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Sunshine June 28, 2011 at 12:07 am

Too tired to even see the fun in it. If anyone at anytime thought normality actually was something to am at, how come all the things named “cool” is the ones faar, far far away from normality?! And “everyone” is trying to be cool. Come on…we all fall for it, we all try to be different, some make it, some fail…some of us just don’t really care…some of us are just OURSELVES, TRUE. Stop living for what everyone else wants

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***************************************** July 12, 2011 at 12:15 pm

i did a similar thing yesterday put my feet up onto the couch, rolled over with laughter ; uyou know like those puppy dogs do sometimes ; felt soooooooog000000000000d I was like a 6 years old kid, and i rambled on. the feeling was undeniably the best ever, it was a turning point. what a relief that was, just one of those moment
just perfect tantrum tantrum oh i love them
i can see u :)from my office are u mannin the place at the moment May i have a glass of water please -in chemistry language, I think the code is H2o – correct me if i am wrong… i wont’ mind.:)
Need a chat with Al about that clock – actually, must be the right time of the day. Just waiting for the second one in the pm zone – have a nice time let me know if i can be of any assistance to you, much obliged.
how often do u have tantrums are they sort of sparingly and what do you do when you are having one, do you go and look at the squirrels in the park or what? do u wear glasses I can’t see without them no no it’s not because i am getting on, because then i ve been getting on since i’m 13. I looked like a pirate because i had a lazy eye and i wore a thing on the other one to make it work, well, it has not worked i am still the same …I can improve that with Yoga I know they have a method. I saw Paul doing the exercise on u tube; the one I can access from time to time .
I hoope i can meet you from time to time and we could share anecdotes about this and that, okay?
Have fun and don’t tell Paulo I wrote to you ; it’s a secret .a team secret and to heck with the rest ..
I am learning greek to get in touch with the locals and see the origins of the words are not lost i believe it’s important I am sure u do too.so have a pleasant afternoon i am thinking of you and send you my best wishes. dont work too hard eitheri know you’ve done greek as well,i can rely on my sources… bisous xx ego tha paro ena sandoouits.

Sarah June 27, 2011 at 5:37 pm

Well,I guess I can be proud saying ‘I al not normal’ since I dont recognize myself in the list :).

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sarah sheridan June 25, 2011 at 10:50 pm

The truest unreality all ‘normal’ and ‘truth is beauty and beauty is truth’ be yourself, follow your dreams if a person needs to create a sense of unreality in order to get to that place of knowing so be it, danger surrounds a place of judgement even when its done with the best of intentions.

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San June 25, 2011 at 9:09 pm

I thought this list was compiled by Javits Wild?

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roxana June 24, 2011 at 10:48 am

Most people are other people.
Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions..We are betroyed by what is false within.

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katie June 24, 2011 at 6:06 am

your blog works, dear paulo.
I really stayed “weird & abnormal” for a long time without worrying & then experiencing how easy it feels.

I got the attitude to look at the discrepancy & conflict that arose, without worrying.

I like it because it feels being true to oneself with all features … good & bad.

it saves energy … & afterwards one feels heavier LoL <3

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Samira June 24, 2011 at 4:26 am

My father was also a Castenda fan, but along the way he had his own journey with faith. You kind of remind me of him. Not to offend but I never really read your books, until I ended up in psychiatric ward, and that’s when I read the Alchemist and Veronica wants to Die. I don’t know if thank you is enough but I would like to give you this poem; my new found passion!

DESTRUCTION
I will deconstruct my destruction
rearrange it till it crumbles
find the thread of destiny
immortalize my death
attract my feelings to facts
bend my will to creation.

Thank you,Samira

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Annie L June 23, 2011 at 9:56 pm

Can someone please explain the title ?I don’t get it
..but after reading these points ..i think people do such things because they are scared of what others think about them …Free your mind people and you will be happy …i have read alot these type of things ..i do get inspired but then i quickly forget its not impossible but difficult ,you should know how to control your own life because at the end of the day its YOUR life ..and do not compromise on your happiness …i hope you will get what i am trying to say (:

Chao

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Gab June 23, 2011 at 9:16 pm

Feel the magic! It’s all around you! I Feel great just being able to do and create things in my life that keeps happiness close by whenever I need it. Be merry !
Bye for now!!

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H June 23, 2011 at 6:31 pm

Even though this comes from The Winner Stands Alone, it reminds me a lot of your book Veronica Decides To Die, because Veronica’s character follows all her society’s rules and conforms to normality and discovers that this leaves her with nothing to live for and no meaning in her life. It is only upon entering the mental hospital (a place beyond the standards and rules of society and normality) that she is able to find herself and reasons to live and begin to find joy in life. I love you for writing these books.

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Michaela June 23, 2011 at 6:52 am

“that’s the hapiness” :))

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Shama June 22, 2011 at 11:12 am

Hahahahaha Good stuff, em normal =))

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Donatela La Rosa June 22, 2011 at 9:52 am

very interesting what is normal? anyways,great article.

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Sheela nandini June 22, 2011 at 9:22 am

It’s quite normal for me to just’go away’ time and again;)

The day I read the list on this blog I wondered what Igor was doing talking to us about Normality-haha!

Can’t afford Botox or Silicon.Don’t sleep with a hysterical alarm clock beside me.Rely on my internal clock or pray to God to wake me up.Seriously)Used to be terrified of childbirth from reports I heard in school.In hindsight,should have married the first person who offered marriage.Love is still waiting and my ovaries are threatening to give up on me :D
I think I should stop here before I make up another list;)

Thanks for sharing,Paulo.Feels like heaven to be quite abnormal.

Love
sheela

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Manish Rai June 22, 2011 at 8:32 am

walk like lion ! No worry ! hmm now once again going to read through ” The winner
Stands Alone ”
thank u Mr. coelho !

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david dickens June 22, 2011 at 12:32 am

Phewwwww, now i can cease sweating + sleepless nights fretting! Right on Paulo. What a fine inventory of normality it undoubtedly IS.

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barbara June 21, 2011 at 3:45 pm

Thank you, I have yet to read “The Winner Stands Alone”.

As abnormal as I am, I am me.

Thank you Mr.Coelho
Love
Barbara

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The Urban Rainmaker June 21, 2011 at 3:15 pm

The last comment is what has always got me with your good self, i can now except your stance. No issues with anybody with a healthy uptake with religion. Whatever god you worship

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bekka June 21, 2011 at 11:17 am

This is great!
But what in our world is normal? People who behave like that list? People who stand outside of the society? People who believe everything that’s written in some boulevard papers? People who think they are better than others?
I believe, that the only way to become happy is, that everyone has to try to focus on the things that he or she does…and not comparing with others all the time.
We should learn to be more respectful with ourselves…
Thats what I think.

love,
Bekka

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Olta Canka June 21, 2011 at 10:23 am

Dreams, magic and miracles are only for movies and fairy tales.

Love

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Daniel June 22, 2011 at 12:29 am

Seriously? I find that life is full of gifts and magic if you let yourself see.
Dreams, if your not doing this what are you filling your head with?
I guess some people get tired of hearing me say ” I freakin love my life.”
I don’t get tired of saying it and I am happy to see gift and magic everywhere.
Daniel

Neerja Bajaj June 21, 2011 at 9:45 am

Normal is staid, boring what society expects out of you!!
I’d rather be myself…… even though abnormal I may seem!!

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Rajiv June 21, 2011 at 8:17 am

Was in a discussion deep within the tribal belt of Orissa on India that there are no coincidences; every event is connected and all of us (strangers until then) seemed to have enough experience to agree completely.

Here it is one more of the ‘coincidences’. I was reading Winner Stands alone before I got to Orissa in the flight and stopped at this chapter which is posted by Paulo today!! ;)

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mav June 21, 2011 at 1:53 am

…custionarse sobre que es normal cuando el parametro que usamos es el de nuestros propios criterios.

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Haiku June 21, 2011 at 1:10 am

Number 8 and Number 47!!!!! I was almost convinced of number 8 by a ‘normal’ person who suggested I was crazy for quitting a job I did not like regardless of the comfortable income I was making. The job was draining me of all my energy and I was not at all happy. I left everything behind, started over and NOW I am happy (not making the prior income), however I enjoy how I make a living and my energy is not at all drained. I am now able to do what I was not able to do before (even with the money). All things that really matter DO NOT have a price tag attached!

As for #47, I will continue to believe that God’s love is not limited but vast in diameter, scope and sphere, able to reach many through various means.

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Chris June 21, 2011 at 12:07 am

So if he is doing Normality wrong we conclude that he is acting right

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Mary Franz June 20, 2011 at 10:57 pm

That’s why I always choose the road less traveled.

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Maria de Jesus Tarango June 20, 2011 at 10:06 pm

estoy contenta , por ir en contra de la corriente,siempre conciente, del respeto y espacio de diferentes formas de pensar, creo que por eso somos independientes.

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David Pimentel June 20, 2011 at 7:24 pm

well: all your comments remeber me what I am

I am crazy because believe in me, in my inner strenght and all myself

Osho says that “you don´t dress if before you don´t undress that you are wearing”…is the unique way to learn something about whatever you want, but the life is interesting for any way always

just thanks you a lot because thank your words I can remember that anything I know

hugs

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Ronak June 22, 2011 at 7:11 am

I really love this pic,Great

Annemarie June 20, 2011 at 5:07 pm

i just love that pic!! thats great :)

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Paula Kujala June 20, 2011 at 4:32 pm

I have both sides in me:bad and good,and some various too,
but,i am not very normal,if i look this list.
But what is normal,what is unnormal?
Who can say to another people,you are normal,or you are unnormal?

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TIM June 20, 2011 at 4:30 pm

last one describes christianity. In particualar catholicism

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Batteryacid June 20, 2011 at 5:41 pm

It could as easily describe the Islam, or Judaism… in fact any religion will do here, sadly. Funny that religion is so exclusive instead of being inclusive and tolerantly understanding.

sandrine June 20, 2011 at 4:06 pm

I am abnormal…..but happy to know I’m not the only one :)
Love and light

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Jane June 20, 2011 at 3:53 pm

This is so true.. All this time, I thought I’m different from other people but then this is how my life should be. And now I’m wondering, what it is like to be different?

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margee June 20, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Don’t you have tons of money ? ps. u r famous..

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Mike Hopkins June 20, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Hello Paulo:

Thanks for that one. I have never found any happiness or true sense of success when I followed the path of normalcy.
Now, perhaps considered an odd ball by some, but at the same time not much caring for or listening to others when they gossip. There is far too much energy spent upon looking at others or pointing a finger toward another. What a waste of our precious and beautiful life energies.

Take care,
Mike

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Hanna Ymana June 20, 2011 at 2:28 pm

What is normality?

Coforming to society’s rule?

Going with the flow?

I’d like to create my own rule and going with the good flow..
nowadays there are bigger currents that will pull you and take you out until it rises above your head… then you drown…and you lose yourself.

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Beate June 25, 2011 at 5:17 pm

Struggling to get above water again is a major endeavor once you have hit the drowning zone. Einstein’s law will always be in place, but we have to balance those who excessively use the man-made laws to get to more money… imbalance then shows.. as money is only a vehicle, not important enough to control us all..

Gopal June 20, 2011 at 2:07 pm

This world is a harmless enigma, the problem arises when we try to interpret it as if there is some underlying truth.

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Sebastian June 20, 2011 at 1:43 pm

I always know that I’m crazy :D

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shilpa June 20, 2011 at 1:26 pm

oohh god….i never realized that I m so normal…..please write down something about abnormal people…..i know,u definitely have something for them too…..m waiting……love you…tak care

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Tom Robinson June 20, 2011 at 1:18 pm

i am not this normal nor have i ever hidden that, your writtings have helped me so much and now everything in life has become a miracle yet i like so many have taken paths just because time was moving forward and i was not. now i face a new junction because im am finishing college and i find myself not wanted to condem myself to a regulated life of work/sleep/eat but time is still moving and i still cannot make sense of my dreams… i do listen to the signs around me and they guide me, i have seen the world in continuous new lights but i am still lost in a forest of a thousand paths to follow. all questions leed to more questions and it then becomes hard to make a decision and act? im am rambling but im sure these words have some sort of point :D

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margee June 20, 2011 at 3:56 pm

we all had your fears when we finished college , but when you prove for your self and the others that you can be a success whenever you are in work or in any place else, and that people can rely on you to run a business, you will find hapiness and self confidence.
best wishes from Egypt,,

Amanda June 20, 2011 at 12:52 pm

I think you should add vasectomy to no. 46

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Jane June 20, 2011 at 3:54 pm

Hahaha! Nice suggestion. =)

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