Rationalize the Crazy

I firmly believe every person exhibits odd or eccentric behavior that departs from the norm.  What is “the norm”?  Who gets to define normal?  A characteristic or act which may be, or is, defined as normal by one person may seem odd or eccentric to others.  I like to reference this individual level of crazy as being slightly off center.  I am, of course, not referring to the mentally deranged or those clinically diagnosed with a mental disorder.  I am also not referring to an act or omission that may cause harm or be illegal, like theft or murder, or being rude for the sake of rudeness.  That’s just down right wrong… not to mention mean and disrespectful to your fellow humans.  I am talking about individuality like dying your hair blue, body tattoos, or only wearing brown socks.  Behavior that seems impractical or senseless to others but is perfectly rationale to you.  In fact, even if you acknowledge that the behavior is odd, you rationalize the crazy.  Why do we feel this need?  Mainly because we know it breaks from what is traditionally considered as proper and we need to give ourselves permission to act or look outside of the definition of normal.  Here’s the kicker:  this defensive mechanism, i.e., rationalizing the crazy, would be considered a normal reaction.  The irony, right?  So even when we act in a way that embodies our truest self, we still feel a need to fit in.  I envy people that don’t seem compelled to rationalize their crazy… but, do they?  I do it.  You do it.  I believe we all do it.  I just think the yardstick by which we measure our rationalization varies.  Here’s where I blow your mind because we’ve come full circle… rationalizing the rationalization.  Stick that in your cap!