[GingerM]

Statistically, "normal" or "norm" means the same as "median" which translates into the group with the largest population. Say we're comparing incomes. In Washington State, the 'average' income is relatively high (all incomes divided by the number of people earning them), but the median income is about 10K/year lower (the income which the most number of people earn). This is because of a few people along the lines of Bill Gates who have such horrifically high incomes that they throw the average off, while the median remains the same.

Now, when you're out and about today, watch all the people around you. The ones honking their horns in frustration, the ones talking on their cell phones while they drive, the ones so wrapped up in themselves that they can't see or feel for anyone else around them. At least where I live, these people seem to make up the biggest group and are, statistically speaking, "normal".

Do you see where I'm heading with this? Normal isn't necessarily a good target to shoot for. You don't want to be 'normal'. You want to be healthy. What's healthy for you is not what's healthy for others. Each of us has our own paths when it comes to emotional security.

So, said in all caring, don't worry about whether or not your normal. Worry about whether or not you're healthy. There's a little voice inside you which you may not even hear, but you will feel it. The little voice that makes you want to make an excuse to leave, the little voice that makes you feel like running away. When that little voice is speaking, something is not healthy in what's going on around you. Learn to listen to that little voice, the little voice which most of us had to squash to survive. You don't have to squash it anymore - you're an adult, you can decide whether you want to spend time squirming in your own skin or not.

To heck with "normal". Be healthy.