We all have intra-personal skills which, while not necessarily officially validated, still work. Being different from the norm is one of the joys of being human.
The following is a guideline I often use—not directly medically tested, but typically effective. When a patient is in a sufficient stage of recovery, their ability to understand and apply their personal prescription confirms comprehension. This enables them to future-proof the prescription, adjusting in harmony with their body as they recover and strengthen. I often ask the question:
“What is the difference between usual and normal?”
Few people answer in a timely or relevant fashion—perhaps our Most Learned might offer a prompt and correct response? Ask yourself and see.
A hint can often help avoid embarrassment—not that we should feel embarrassed about not knowing, especially when exploring outside our realm of supposed expertise.
Take posture, for example: the way a 16-year-old boy stands is usual. That doesn’t mean his posture is normal.
Ideally, a 16-year-old should stand with their head directly above the top vertebra, shoulders retracted, standing at least five centimetres taller, and with any forward movement led by the sternum. Do you know any teenagers like that? Most tend to follow their peers and resign themselves to what’s usual. Even elite athletes often fail this ‘normal’ test. What’s the point of being a 6'4" rugby lock if you usually slump to 6'2"?
Another contrast between usual and normal: how many people in the Western world eat a piece of fruit and a small serve of fibre before having their takeaway coffee? Coffee first may be usual—fruit and fibre first is normal.
If an adult says they go to bed at their usual time—7pm, for example—that may be usual for them, but it’s not normal.
One year, when our four children came home from university for the holidays, they challenged the ‘Neanderthal’ (aka Dad—normally self-considered conservative and wise) and said it was time to make money. I asked, “How?” They replied, “Anything that makes people lazy makes money.”
Unfortunately, the car, computer, chair, disposable nappies, fast food, household appliances, ready-made clothing, pre-packaged meals, Uber, TikTok, Facebook, and mobile phones have all been invented. These things have become usual in our lives—but are they normal for our health? The past 50 years have made some people financially rich, but consumers haven’t always benefited health-wise. These inventions may not make us lazy in themselves—but the temptation to overuse them does, and often we give in.
Conditions like osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and mental health challenges are not society’s normal, but they are now usual. Some argue we’re simply better at diagnosing these conditions than during the Dark Ages — and that’s true. But more significantly, there has been an exponential rise in the health issues we now face. There's a reason we're more susceptible to chronic illness: our cells run out of energy. (Hint: ATP) Our usual, lazy lifestyles are not normal. We’re designed to be challenged, to train for those challenges, and to overcome them—or at least try.
Modern life pressures are so common that we often try to rationalise them away (which is lazy), but that only risks compounding the growing mental health crisis. Giving in to hardship without preparation or defence is not normal. Sometimes, we need extra support—like from a Primary Health Provider. But even more importantly, we need to normalise the idea that everyone will face challenges outside a courtroom. This lesson should be part of society’s curriculum. Yet even the school curriculum is in turmoil—not exactly a role model for how its vulnerable consumers (students) should behave. Direction, in itself, is vital.
At a personal level, we keep trying to invent things—some tangible, some just perceived—in the belief that less effort makes us richer in some future state. But a bit of timely, controlled energy expenditure now could help immunise us from later challenges. The true richness lies in understanding that humans are designed to face life's usual challenges—and to build up energy levels so that overcoming obstacles becomes our normal, sometimes with help from others.
Here’s the good news for those who want to stand out: don’t be usual. Be bold. Be normal. That’s how you become uncommon. Others may see the merit in this and follow your lead.