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Personal Reflection
Normal is a cage dressed up as comfort. I’ve spent parts of my life trying to fit the mold, sanding off edges just to blend in. But the truth is, “normal” never saved me—it only shrank me. The moments I’ve felt most alive weren’t when I was acceptable, but when I was reckless enough to be myself. Maya Angelou didn’t just challenge the idea of normal, she shattered it. And maybe that’s the point: your brilliance isn’t found in what makes you blend, it’s in what makes you break the pattern.

Reflective Prompt
Where in your life have you traded authenticity for “normal”? What might happen if you stopped?