Above the Average?

When I was a kid, I thought it was the norm to be sober…meaning not drinking, smoking, or partaking in other drugs (of the legal or illegal variety). From my upbringing and though the house and people that shaped my ideals and personality I believed that succumbing to such vices would put me in the minority. Little did I know that this outlook, which in my mind was the clear and intelligent path for living, would put me in a severe minority. The only disposition I had ever known as a youth would make me an easily spotted outcast way outnumbered by the masses that joyfully and readily ingest products that harm the body and/or alter the mind. It still remains a foreign concept to me—the “hobby” of numbing life for the momentary thrill when user knew they would return to their previous low points…sometimes even lower- mentality and physically. Alas, the “fun” of social gatherings was forever ruined for me when it appeared that 80% of attendees were under the influence or drug-infused…or looking to reach those levels. Even sadder remains the fact that a majority of events are harbored at the sites that openly promote the overconsumption of substances that lead to destructive actions and/or behaviors.

You see, as a child I probably had a family portrait that would make a Norman Rockwell painting jealous. With this I mistakenly assumed there must be millions of households like mine. I felt obliged to uphold the virtues and go beyond in excelling past my parent’s expectations in school and society. I again wrongly thought that this was the great American norm. Now I realized we were way beyond the run-of-the-mill standard. Being normal is lame- I refuse to fall of the abyss of mainstream monotony and anonymity.

Only abnormal and extraordinary people- those who defy conventions- make impressions. Thanks to my family these ambitions are deeply instilled in me. The only downside I now see after opening up to the actual state of life is a sense of jadedness. Looking at most people I willing typecast them as drunkards, pessimists, conservatives, or other forms of moron. Society is chocked full of couch potatoes- in a physical and mental state of sloth- so I’d rather not even associate with the kind of person that overly enjoys celeb reality TV or only uses a very limited and vulgar vocabulary.

Yes, indeed, I know some were not as privileged or blessed as I to grow up in such a community, but ignorance cannot be a shield forever. Fight beyond your financial or domestic limitations and live life on a higher level. Don’t settle for average. Strive to be abnormal and proud!

-Dig.