How many times have you heard people taking about the new normal since the pandemic started grabbing the headlines? A lot of you may not have remembered hearing that expression before and maybe even thought it was new. No sir! It has been around for “quite a spell,” as we like to say in the South.

This American colloquialism refers to a previously unusual or unacceptable situation or state of affairs which has become commonly usual or expected. Prior to current popularity, as early as 1947, the phrase was in use for averages which had increased or decreased.

Nevada Cooperative Snow Surveys, 1947, page 4, in reference to snow around the Lake Tahoe area stated:

“The rise in Tahoe normal has been changed from the old 1.68 to the new normal, 1.55.”

But we don’t need to start thinking that this situation is normal. It is ‘anything but.’

We do need to adapt to our circumstances and remember that the only constant is change. Every year brings new challenges and new opportunities. 2020 has certainly had its share of challenges.

Hopefully, in the coming months this sad state of affairs will end and we can get back to a more natural life. But in the meantime, let’s appreciate all the good things we still have. If you have a place to live, food to eat, a car to drive and a way to pay your bills you have more than a large percentage of the world’s population. I, for one, am thankful.

If you would like to know the origin of a favorite expression, text the author at 931-212-3303 or email him at stan@stclair.net.