Normalcy

Consistency. Predictability. Reliability.

Oh, how we love normalcy.  Even as little children, we feel safe when we know what to expect.  As we age, we find ourselves making connections with others who agree with us.  Conflicts arise when "common sense" behaviors are perceived as being violated by individuals or groups.

When we view a painting and we see colors and imagery that makes sense to us, our language to describe the image (in this example: peaceful, serene) betrays our underlying prejudice to live with equilibrium.  Even our language bleeds our need: normal psychology vs. abnormal psychology.  Societies exist and function when groups of people can agree on what is and is not normal behavior.

So, when life takes a sudden turn and we find ourselves no longer living a "normal" life, we experience a disorientation.  Our perspective changes and we start to really see our society, our culture.  We join a new subgroup.  Depending on what turn has occurred, we develop a new vision.  Our lens to see has been altered.  Our lives are no longer normal.

And, so, we stand outside, looking in, observers of normalcy.  We are the handicapped, the disabled; often, we are the forgotten.