What is NORMAL?

I had a question presented to me recently. It kind of took me by surprise, although considering the source, I have no clue as to why I was shocked. The question was "Why can't you just be normal?"

I have thought about that. For all I had ever known, I am "normal". My likes, dislikes, routines, etc are all things I am used to, things I have done for years. Not too many of those things have been questioned. I am not told I am weird or a freak, so what is wrong with me as I am?

 I decided to look the word up for clarification, and see if maybe I needed to go to elementary school with my children when they return in the fall.  So, thank you Google for your helpfulness here.

nor·mal

noun /ˈnôrməl/  normals, plural The usual, average, or typical state or condition - her temperature was above normal - the service will be back to normal next week A person who is physically or mentally healthy A line at right angles to a given line or surface adjective /ˈnôrməl/  Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected (of a person) Free from physical or mental disorders That definition being re-established for me lead to even more thinking. WHY would anyone WANT to be "normal"?  I am an individual. I don't want to be your "standard" or "typical" anything. I have never been one to strive to be "common" or anything that would be considered "cookie-cutter". I also think that everyone strive to a bit, well,...abnormal. Since when did uniqueness and individuality become an undesirable and unwanted thing?  Here are a few Synonyms for the word Normal:  regular, standard, ordinary, common, usual, natural, perpendicular I don't know about anyone else, but I really don't find being seen as ordinary, common, or regular, a thing to compliment. I want to be extraordinary and  uncommon. You don't remember the "normal" people you happen to meet in this journey of life. You remember the ones who were abnormal. The ones who pushed your way of thinking, snuck ideas into your mind, made you see things in a new and unusual way. After much thought and mind searching, I decided I should see where exactly I did "fit", since I am not normal. I prefer knowing that I am something so much better than plain, boring, common, usual, or routine "normal". I am eccentric.  To quote you a bit of Wikipedia.com: Eccentric behavior is often considered whimsical or quirky. They are simply unconcerned by society's disapproval of their habits or beliefs. Many of history's most brilliant minds have displayed many unusual behaviors and habits. And my personal favorite: Eccentricity is often associated with genius, intellectual giftedness, or creativity. The individual's eccentric behavior is perceived to be the outward expression of their unique intelligence or creative impulse.[1] In this vein, the eccentric's habits are incomprehensible not because they are illogical or the result of madness, but because they stem from a mind so original that it cannot be conformed to societal norms. You see, I don't see things the way everyone else does. I like to look at things from a different angle, and until it was pointed out, I just assumed everyone saw and thought as did I. It is actually refreshing to know I am unique, definately NOT normal. So, I pose the thought again. Who wants to be normal?