I have a confession to make: I am not normal. There. I’ve admitted it. The thing is I used to try and be normal but it didn’t work out for me.

For years I tried be like everyone else but it was always an act. I’d spend hours before I ventured out into the real world, trying to look the part, hoping that if I looked the part, I would feel the part. Social situations were the worst, followed a close second by populated work environments. I’d do whatever it took to be ‘the same as everyone else’. It never worked. I always felt awkward and out of place.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘normal’ as ‘conforming to a standard’. I guess that means a ‘normal person’ is someone who conforms to the predominant behaviour in a society. If the opposite of ‘to conform’ is ‘to rebel’, does that mean I should buy a Harley and tattoo up? Or wear black and look miserable? Fact is I’m too gentle to be a biker and too happy to be an emo. Ah, the dilemma of knowing thy self (sigh)!

It may sound like I have self-esteem issues and, the truth is, I used to. But that was because I thought there was something wrong with me. I couldn’t conform as easily and effectively as other people. But now I know there isn’t anything wrong with me.  And if you relate to what I’m saying, there’s nothing wrong with you, either.

The fact is that some people can blend in and some people can’t. Which brings me to the octopus and the polar bear. Naturally. Bear with me (ha-ha)… In the natural world, these creatures look and behave radically differently to survive and adapt to their environments. The octopus conforms to its environment. A polar bear is always a polar bear. Both are being themselves, just in different ways.

The Octopus

In the natural world, an octopus literally shape-shifts in moments to completely alter his appearance. They blend into their surroundings in seconds, change colours and patterns and even transform the texture of their skin to match their environment. How’s that for a nifty party trick?

The octopus as a person fits into any situation. They just seem to know what to wear and how to behave. They fit into any situation. I know I already said that but it needs emphasising. The octopus loves trying out different images and they adapt easily to whatever atmosphere exists, wherever they happen to be. Generally, the octopus is the life of the party, the joker, the storyteller, the entertainer. Their greatest skill is that they can walk away from an event and transform back to themselves. They never lose sight of who they are and they never lose themselves in the roles they play.

The polar bear

The real polar bear may blend in when he’s surrounded by snow and ice but dump him in a forest, and there’s no way he’s able to turn green to blend in. He will always be big and white and furry and his behaviour will always be that of a carnivorous mammal.

In the human world, polar bears enjoy the company of others, but they are just as happy being by themselves. They prefer quieter places, soft music and gentle conversation to lively action, loud music and oodles of stimulation.  They wear clothes that suit their own tastes and style or else they settle for sensible and comfortable attire. As for behaviour, polar bears behave like polar bears. It’s as simple as that. They don’t adapt. If they had to behave like someone else, they would walk away feeling like they had dishonoured themselves and compromised their ethics. While they may not have natural chameleonic skills polar bears adapt to a social environment by being great listeners and observers. They notice things.

Next post (Part Two) I’ll talk about accepting your inner octopus or bear. Over the weekend have a think about which one you are. And let me know by leaving a comment. I could do a poll? Maybe not…

Until then, keep swimming, my luvly sea-loving creatures…

Tracey