Norman Is Brilliant
My thinking mind was never the enemy
My thinking mind isn’t the enemy... what a revelation!
I like to call him “Norman,” “Normal Norman,” or, on particularly chatty days, “Narrating Normal Norman”.
And yes, he gets me into trouble.
But he’s also with me right now as I write this.
He’s with me as I ski through trees.
As I learn Spanish, dancing, and surfing.
And as I coach and speak.
Norman is brilliant.
The trouble isn’t that Norman thinks.
As Alan Watts said, thinking is “a good servant but a bad master.”
The trouble is when he starts narrating my life...
Commenting.
Judging.
Replaying.
Analyzing.
Predicting.
And the suffering escalates when Norman’s narration turns into thinking about thinking.
That’s a hall of mirrors.
That’s a never-ending nightmare of narration.
In a word... that’s anxiety.
I always like to say:
Life is the best,
when my mind takes a rest.
But here’s a new line that feels even more fitting...
Life is the shit,
when I’m not thinking about it.
If this resonated, share it with someone who could use it today—or share it with everyone. It's one of the greatest compliments you can give.
Until next time, Freethinker… stay present, be pleasant, and have an amazing day 🙏
Mike Messeroff
Founder of The Carpe Diem Company
Personal Freedom Coach and Creator of Self-Hospitality™
Author of Dogs Get It: Advice I learned from my best friend