Be your own definition of Normal

                Week #4


"Why is everyone so busy trying to be Normal?"

Before addressing the movie I chose to write my blog on, I first want to stop and take a moment to talk about the definitions of the words assigned to us this week.

Word #1 - Normative:
     Defined as follows-establishing, relating to, or deriving from a standard or norm, especially of behavior. Relating to a norm, especially an assumed norm regarding as the standard of correctness in behavior, speech, writing, etc.

     When you read the definition of normative to me it is just someone's interpretation of the standard of the definition.  My "norm" may not be your norm, and it shouldn't be.  I have learned to not refer to a person as "normal" with such a broad meaning.  There will always be a reference to the norm, the normal heart rate, the normal body temperature and the normal blood pressure.  We must remember to understand that "normal" is just a set point of such, a guideline if you will.  Where the "normal" BP is 120/80 it is far from my normal BP.  Everyone has their own individual definition for norms that people seem to place such a great value on.  Is your norm wrong because it is not like mine?  It may be your norm to live in a house with your parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters. It may be someone else's norm to live with just their mom and visit their dad on weekends.

Word #2 - Culture:
     Defined as follows-I like this one definition the best. The sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another. The behaviors and beliefs of a particular social, ethnic, or age group.

     There are many cultural upbringings in America.  I think it is what makes up such a wonderful diverse community.  I think it is important for children to grow up and experience other cultures all around them.  Even Disney World's theme park Epcot let's you walk around the globe and see and learn about different cultures. They put culture out there and make it fun to learn about.  Children of all ages can enjoy food from all different places, from Indian cuisine to a German buffet.  It is amazing how far people have come to appreciate cultures other than their own.

Word #3 - Ontology:
     This was a new word for me.  I actually needed to look up the definition to know what it was.  So here goes, ontology is defined as follows-The study or concern about what kinds of things exists.  What entities there are in the universe.  The essence of things.

     For many years people have been fascinated with the idea that we are not alone in this planet.  Why just last week while in class we got deep into the topic of alien life form, do you believe it's out there or not?  This all stemmed from the topic of the lunar eclipse.  To be honest with you the whole thought of being study by another life form freaks me out!  To say I don't believe is naive. It isn't far fetched, just sort of bazaar to think that your going along minding your own business and all of a sudden your paralyzed by a force and you have no say as to what happens next. Strange to say the least.  I'm happy to sit in my own little world and if I never encounter such a thing I won't be upset. They can look, whoever they are, just don't touch. As long as "they" are neither seen nor heard is fine with me.

     On the other hand does the study of life after death fall under the category of ontology?  There are countless numbers of books on the subject.  Although you can only go by what you read and hear others speak of seems fascinating to me.  I am a catholic girl born and raised.  I try to live my life everyday treating others with respect and compassion.  Knowing that someday I will join loved ones I haven't seen for years.  To be in a place full of so much love and joy is a great fantasy to live for.

     I watched the movie Heaven Is for Real, I love watching movies based on true stories.  I knew going into the movie the background of what the movie was about.  It was amazing to see a family with such strong faith have so much disbelief.  The family has a dad who is a pastor/preacher, a mom, and two children a boy and a girl.  The family struggles with financial hardship, and some physical mishaps.  Just when you think everything is falling into place the little boy gets sick.  He ends up needing surgery and it is touch and go.  While under anesthesia the little boy visits heaven.

     When Colt comes home from the hospital he tells his dad he met Jesus and went to heaven.  The father is in disbelief.  Parishioners don't want to hear it.  They say that Colt must have been hallucinating.  The mother doesn't want to believe the stories and explains to her husband that this is the life that Colt has grown up in.  They have read bible stories to him his whole life and that he must just be telling them things he can recall from them.  It is only when Colt tells his mom that he met his sister without a name that died in her tummy.  The family had never spoke of this loss with their children so there was no way he could have a memory of that.  Through out the movie the pastor was researching for answers as to why his son "thinks" he went to heaven.  Finally the family, the town and the whole parish except the fact that there truly is something out there greater than us.

    I enjoyed the movie and it made me realize that it's hard to believe in something that you cannot physically touch, taste, or smell.  Even when someone so close to tells you it is true.  Humans, however different, tend to be somewhat the same.  Yes we believe in heaven because it is what we were taught.  It is our faith that we have, that gives us hope.