The Elusive Quest For Normalcy

The worldwide Covid-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down. Social isolation has led to a spike in mental health issues. The health crisis, coupled with the economic meltdown, are causing suffering, stress, increased substance abuse and other addictive behaviors and for some even suicide. Everyone seems to be yearning for normalcy. What is normalcy, and where is it found? Please read more.

During almost any crisis people go on a quest for the calm of normality. So again, I ask, what exactly is normalcy? Normalcy is the condition of being normal; the state of being usual, typical, or expected. It can mean conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern. For most people, it is a desire to return to the way we think life “ought to be.”

Closely associated with the quest for normalcy is the term “nostalgia”. Nostalgia is an excessively sentimental yearning for times gone bye. Nostalgia involves remembering the good and forgetting the pains of the past. It might surprise you to know that nostalgia was once a medical diagnosis. For centuries, it was deemed a potentially debilitating and sometimes fatal medical condition. Coined in 1688, it described the homesickness encountered by Swiss mercenaries who in the plains of lowlands France or Italy were pining for their native mountain landscapes. You could say these men were sickened by their elusive quest for normalcy.

During the 1920 presidential campaign, Warren G. Harding used the slogan “A return to normalcy,” to describe his desire to get the country back to the way it was before WWI. December 7, 1941 was yet another day that set “normalcy” on its head. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared that the bombing of Pearl Harbor would be “a date which will live in infamy.” For several years, normalcy meant being at war with Japan. Now, Japan is one of the United States top allies. This became the new normal.

It is becoming harder and harder for us to remember what normalcy looked like in an airport before the events of 9-11. Gone forever is the once normal carrying of baseball bats, box cutters, darts, knitting needles and scissors onto an aircraft. The new normal involves presenting IDs, shoe removal, baggage checks, and no liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces.

Life is fluid and ever-changing. The big question is this, “Is anything really normal?” Heraclitus, a wise ancient Greek philosopher who lived 500 years before Jesus, is credited with coining the phrase, “Change is the only constant in life.” Benjamin Franklin added this to that quote, “Ones ability to adapt to those changes will determine your success in life.” In other words, normalcy is change!

Change is always just around the corner. Storm clouds are always brewing. In Matthew 7:24-27, we find the story of the two men who built houses. Jesus says the wise man built his house on rock and the fool built his house on sand. He continued by telling us what to expect when the storms of life appear.

Carefully notice that both houses go through storms. Jesus never promised us a life free from storms. He does however, assure us that if He is the foundation on which our life is built, we will never have to worry when the storms come. Relying on the perceived normalcy of life is like building on sand.

Jesus’ words in John 16:32-33 sound almost like a prognostication of our current social isolation. He said, “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home.” He went on to say, “but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

After this pandemic, things will not return to the way they were. The New York Times bestselling book, Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Johnson M.D., offers us some valuable life lessons about change from four strange characters, two mice named “Sniff” and “Scurry,” and the two little people, “Hem” and “Haw.”

• Change happens
• Anticipate change
• Monitor change
• Adapt to change quickly
• Learn to enjoy change
• Be ready for it to change again

Let’s put an end to our elusive quest for normalcy. We need to learn not to rely on what seems normal in life and not on ourselves. As stated above, in the turmoil of our ever-changing lives, there is only one rock on which we should build our foundation. That rock never changes. He is the only true normalcy. Paul tells us in Romans 8:35-39 that nothing in all of creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. I will close with these words from Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Heavenly Father, I offer you in prayer these words from the hymn, “It is well with my soul.” “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul.” Amen!

As always, I love to read your comments below as well as hear from you personally by clicking here.

Brian Pusateri
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18 Comments

  1. Cheryl Halchak on May 22, 2020 at 8:48 am

    Hi Brian,
    As you wrote, “Be ready for things to change again!” I think this will help us a lot from becoming complacent with our surroundings. We must find God’s peace within!

    • Brian Pusateri on May 22, 2020 at 11:42 am

      Cheryl

      Thanks for your post. Change is always on the way. God never changes. May God’s blessing be with you!

      Brian

  2. Donna M Washington on May 20, 2020 at 6:57 am

    Brian –
    I loved the picture you used to show God’s peace in the midst of raging waters and how the birds are safe in their nests.
    Your writings are always very insightful.
    Thank you,
    Donna

    • Brian Pusateri on May 20, 2020 at 7:28 am

      Donna

      I thought the artist captured it perfectly. Thanks for your post.

      Brian

  3. Maria Garcia on May 19, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    Thank you for this post.

  4. Jim Meersman on May 19, 2020 at 2:27 pm

    Brian: This is a very timely and well written article for this time in our life. I was looking forward to your letter this week and you did a great job! Best wishes for continued good health to Mary and you. Regards! Jim Meersman

    • Brian Pusateri on May 19, 2020 at 3:04 pm

      Jim

      Thank you for your kind words. Stay well my friend.

      Brian

  5. Jim Nolan on May 19, 2020 at 9:33 am

    I think our longing for normalcy is in some ways a desire for a sense of being in control. This pandemic has helped me to realize again that we are not in control even when it seems that we are. We need to rely on God and admit that we need him because we can never really be in control. I hope I can remember this lesson when things become more normal, but I probably won’t. Thanks, Brian, for helping me with that. Jim

    • Brian Pusateri on May 19, 2020 at 9:41 am

      Jim

      I always love to see your posts and read your thoughts on these topics. I hope is well. All my best to my friends in Pennsylvania.

      Brian

  6. David Underwood on May 19, 2020 at 9:27 am

    Love this message….change is normal!
    The only constant thing in life besides our Lord and Savior.

  7. Frank on May 19, 2020 at 7:43 am

    Brian,
    Great message for these difficult times. Beautifully written with lots of interesting facts. Thank you my friend.
    Frank

    • Brian Pusateri on May 19, 2020 at 7:52 am

      Frank

      Thank you for your post. I am glad you like the message.

      Brian

  8. Lemoine on May 19, 2020 at 7:30 am

    JMJ

    Looking over my years on earth, I can assure you change has been prevalent throughout my life. Some changes accepted with opened arms, others not so much. Once you accept God is always constant put your life in His realm, then no matter the change it becomes unknowingly normal.

    • Brian Pusateri on May 19, 2020 at 7:50 am

      Lemoine

      Great post my friend. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

      Brian

  9. Denise on May 19, 2020 at 6:49 am

    Love this message, thank you!

    • Brian Pusateri on May 19, 2020 at 7:00 am

      Denise

      You are most welcome.Thanks for posting.

      Brian

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