Normal is a tiny box in which to live.

Freedom exists outside normal.

A cartoon

A thought

I loved this post “What is Normal” from Kemi Nekvapil a few weeks ago. I have struggled with normal all my life - as I think most of us do, wondering how and where we fit in. The mother of a childhood friend regularly told me I was a “weird” child - geez! Thanks for that!

I am queer, curious and sensitive. Having had three children and learning they are neuro-diverse, I see that in myself as well.

Kemi wrote,

“using normal as a yardstick to judge ourselves, our children, our family, or humanity, sets us up to have expectations and make judgements about others, which does not support compassionate understanding.

None of us are normal. And normal is a tiny box in which to live.

I do not want my gravestone to read, ‘She was normal.’ I’m aiming for ‘She was 100% fully expressed.”

Yes! I dream of a world where we are all fully expressed. Where we have kicked the myth of normal to the curb and celebrate the delicious difference that each of us brings. If we can take off the masks and see each other clearly that will go a long way to fostering the love and collaboration we need at this point in time.

Thank you for being you.

Thank you for being here.

Glimmers and sparks*

My glimmers for today are:

• A rare day at home with no need to go anywhere.

• Warming myself in front of the fire.

• Frosty, sparkly morning!

  

Li’l bean is your reminder to pause and ask: What are your glimmers for today?

From your friend and your small, steadfast companion,

*Drawing Li’l Bean helped me navigate out of a period of depression in 2023. A good friend 13, 595km away, helped, too, through a ritual of swapping daily glimmers via text.

A glimmer is a tiny spark of hope, enthusiasm or joy that lifts your heart. By helping me find three glimmers each day, she gently helped me see the joy and beauty already around me.

I’d like to share this practice with you and invite you to reflect on your glimmers for the day when you read this. Think of Li’l Bean as a reminder to notice the glimmers and sparks in your life. We’d love it if you would like to share your glimmers in the comments or by hitting reply (if you don’t like sharing publicly).