I feel as though the common usage of the word "normal" is woefully fuzzy, with attendant social inferences that pressure and guilt people into doing things that make them unhappy. When someone says "That's not normal," all too often the response elicited (whether spoken or silent) is "There's something wrong with me."
Normal is the way things should be. Usual, on the other hand, is what happens all around us every day. Big Difference. Given a life based on generally wise decisions, it's normal to be reasonably happy, have some energy, and find joy in life. It's usual to be tired, depressed, overburdened and crabby.
