About the NCF

If you’re like us, you’ve lived a pretty normal life… and if you’re like us, then historically, well, ‘normal’ hasn’t been that awesome of an experience. Let’s face it:

‘Normal’ lounges through a dead-pan life, broke, overweight, and bored out of its skull.
‘Normal’ tolerates its job at best and utterly despises it at worst.
‘Normal’s job overruns its life, and mindless activity leeches every sacred drop of energy.
‘Normal’s friends flounder in debt and a scarcity mentality.
‘Normal’s relationships hang heavy with obligation.
‘Normal’ quits on its lifelong dreams and passions as soon as kids come along.
‘Normal’ is immobilized in the face of goals – if Normal even has goals.
‘Normal’ doesn’t even freakin’ move because of the perceived risk.
‘Normal’ lives half-awake. Under engaged. Normal sucks, man.

So, this is me (Josh), my wife Sarah, Piper (2 yrs), and Vienna (9 mo)... I admit up front - the kids' cuteness is totally the result of my wife.

**This site is for people who’ve had it. Had it up to HERE.**

My name is Joshua Gordon, and my sweet fam and I have decided to kick Normal to the gutter. We’ve decided we want more than what we see around us. Society is handing out plates piled high with steaming crap like the above list, and we’re supposed to say ‘Thanks’ ? Forget it. Starting from scratch, my family and I are rebuilding our life around 4 basic principles:

Family first - every damn day.
Obligation is not a valid reason for action.
We only do things we truly want to do.
We invest in the things we believe in.

If this resonates with you – hang out. Read some. Then read some more. Sign up to receive regular news on the NCF front. You can expect a eblast every week-ish. In said NCF newsletters, you’ll discover new allies, great resources, and have exclusive opportunities to influence the direction of the NCF movement.

Thanks, screw normal – and Be Awesome People!!

Sincerely,

- Josh (@nonconformistpa)

on behalf of Sarah, Piper, and Vienna

Wanna Take the Tour?

Next Stop: The Be Awesome People Manifesto: The NCF Manifesto describes 6 central tenets that guide our family. They’re a work in progress – but a great second step in getting to know us! Jump here now.

http://betterdadpodcast.com Andy Lehman

I heard you on the Be A Better Husband Podcast. I really think what you are doing is great.

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com NonConformist Pa

Andy – that’s rad. I’m not going to lie, I sort of cringe a little bit when I listen to the replay… I definitely don’t have nice pat answers.

Sarah (NCM) and I are definitely still figuring stuff out. We’re in the muddy thick of things.

- Josh (NonConformist Pa)

Susan Pontius

SOOOOOO refreshing to hear there are others out there with the same, uncommon, passions! At least, I think I’m tracking your thought process here. Our peers think we are freaks for NOT signing our kids up for every activity under the sun or for “skipping” church to hang with Jesus as a family at home, or at the park., for not saying “yes” to every request that comes our way, for not sacrificing time with our little ones in order to “keep up with the Jones’”, for letting our kids wrestle with disappointment instead of trying to make everything work out and leading them to believe that life is always a bowl-full-o-cherries….Oh, and the fact that we absolutely ADORE every one of our six kids (ages nine and under) and LOVE our life especially makes some think we are freaks! Eager to hear more of your thoughts!

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Hey Susan – we’re equally excited to meet another co-adventurer (? weird word…). I hear you on pretty much ever single thing you’re saying. Clearly, you’re a few steps ahead of us on the kids front, but I’m definitely interested in picking your brain on a few specifics – especially:

- the role of church in your support network
- travel tips
- your family goals

Thanks so much!

- Josh (NonConformist Pa)

Susan Pontius

A couple big topics there….where to begin? Well, here are a couple thoughts on each:
1. Family Goals - love God, love each other….period. Practicing those 2 greatest commandments helps us simplify and stay focused on what really matters. Love accomplishes a whole lot of things in life. After all, Love saw fit to rescue us from darkness – there’s life-changing power in that.
2. Travel tips – don’t have too many of these. Having our first 5 kids in 6 years, we did not travel much. Keeping up with daily life was enough of a challenge! But, I must say that mental and emotional preparation on our (the parents’) part is half the battle during a car trip. Leaving as early as possible gives us the most mileage out of our time. Late day travel only brings more potty stops, less tolerance on everyone’s part and more food requests!
3. Role of church - I think it’s sad when families confuse priorities and think they are putting relationship with God first when in reality, they are putting church commitments first. What kind of Jesus are we presenting to our children when our time and attention with them is negatively compromised in the name of “God first”. Religion stinks, poisons and deceives. I know. I’ve fallen prey to it. Now, relationship with the Creator of the Universe…..that’s another story! As far as support network, I believe and have experienced how God, in His amazing wisdom and love, puts people in our lives who will encourage and challenge us and us, them. In our lives, many of those relationships have been found within our church community. Many have come from college friendships that are very much thriving today!

This journey of life with families is challenging, rewarding and humbling! I’m often amazed that the Lord would entrust us with these little people! But He has and that is enough to keep me wanting to stick close to Him. Always more to learn. Always more ways to grow. Always more to love!

I have some more thoughts born out of my journey of life on my blog:
http://relenteless-susan.blogspot.com
It’s a rough blog. Don’t have time to make it fancy. But the meat is there. The good and the bad! Oh, and I haven’t posted in awhile due to a rough pregnancy and now a 2 month old! Such is life!

BTW, I’m so glad I found The Intimate Couple! You and your parents are forging some rarely chartered waters in the church. This stuff, I think, needs to be said from the pulpit! Way to go! You guys rock!

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Yah, we’re loving the-intimate-couple.com as well.

Re: travel, we just took a risky three hour drive… We left at NCT’s bedtime: it worked fairly well! She fell asleep for the majority of the trip. NCI? Aigh… Definitely screamed for 2 hours #needanewstrategy.

Joel and Meg Davey

You guys seriously rock! Joel and I think of you guys often and the memories we shared while living in Guelph We are so thankful to have met such amazing peps!

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Thanks you two!! We’re looking forward to re connecting in the next couple months! I love camping!! (inside joke)

Joel and Meg Davey

I love camping!

Unseen guest

If you are so non-conformist why do you use words such as freaking and damn. I would suggest words such as ineffably, expressively, and unutterably. It is very conformist to minimize expression to slang.

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Unfortunately, Unseen Guest, nonconformity is seeping slowly into my life. Slowly. Which means, that apparently it hasn’t hit my vocabulary yet. I’m sure it’ll come in time. Sorry.

Great word suggestions, though!

PS: I don’t think I know what ‘ineffably’ means.

http://coachradio.tv/ Justin Lukasavige

Right on, no one uses those words and you’d be nonconformist for sure. No doubt about it.

You could also sign out of your comment system and make your name Unseen Guest. That seems to be pretty nonconformist too.

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

I’m not sure, but… I think I’m in love you with you, Justin.

In a very manly way, of course.

http://findingforwardmotion.com Tony Elam

This is great stuff guys! We are trying to create a lifestyle that makes sense to us, and no just fill out a template sort of lifestyle. Also making money online is my project of the year so to speak. I look forward to what you find as you go down this path. Keep up the good work!

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Thanks Tony! I hear you, man – and I’m glad to have you in our corner! The biggest thing I could tell anyone who’s interested in either ‘lifestyle design’ or online revenue is to invest in yourself – and get coaching or something like that!

That’s been the difference for Sar and I.

- Josh
http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Thanks Tony! I hear you, man – and I’m glad to have you in our corner! The biggest thing I could tell anyone who’s interested in either ‘lifestyle design’ or online revenue is to invest in yourself – and get coaching or something like that!

That’s been the difference for Sar and I.

- Josh

http://twitter.com/MyFinLifeCoach Bryan D. Cooper

Keep telling your story and watch others change their life for the good. We live the debt-free life and enjoy it.

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Thanks, Bryan! It’s awesome to hear from you. Your encouragement is so valuable – and something we needed.

project1979

inspiring!!!! thank you!
project1979

keeps me wanting to keep up the work i’m doing…
Anonymous

SCREW Normal!-Just wanted to see how it felt to say that. See you Thursday morning. -derek
http://www.liveitforward.com Kent Julian

LOVE THIS!!! It fits with a book I just wrote for teenagers entitled “Who Wants To Be Normal, Anyway?!” as well as with the keynote message I give all over the country to middle school and high school students!

If you don’t mind, I’ll copy 1/2 of it and put it on my blog…and direct people here to read the rest of it.

Kent Julian
http://www.liveitforward.com
http://www.KentJulian.com

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Do it up, man! I’m in contact with Mayenne right now… looking forward to connecting, Kent!

Josh

Pete

This is great. I am tired of being in the people pleasing business. I quit!

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Pete, that decision is a huge huge thing! Get ready for crazy!!

- Josh

Tbrearly

thanks for the inspiration to keep chasing my dreams!
Cbvan

Being normal is so boring. My husband and I have 5 kids. Thanks for this. It makes me feel like that I am right where we need to be. Have a great day.

Carrie

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Carrie – that’s awesome! Sharing our family’s journey away from normal has been kind of freaky (especially at first). Hearing comments like yours makes us feel very encouraged and motivated!

- Josh

Prior

Make fun of the word obligation. Put it on your fridge “Awww-bligation”.
Ain’t normal, but neither are my friends.

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

Prior – love it! I’m so teaching my kids your new-and-improved spelling of that word!

- Josh

http://minimalistmommi.com/ Megyn @MinimalistMommi

Just found your site via Jenny @Ex-Consumer. It’s funny because we are the same age in similar scenarios (young parents with 2 young children…ours are almost 2 & almost 4, and The Hubs thankfully got a big V, so no more EVER! Thank heavens!), but having been a non-conformist my entire life (yes, all 26 years of it), I’ve come to some dissimilar conclusions. Your #2: “Obligation is not a valid reason for action” is not for every scenario. Take children, for example. They are an obligation, and should none of us want to take on that obligation, the majority would not survive. Sometimes obligations forces us into action, but it’s for the better of the species. Also, I kind of get grumpy with non-conformists because, despite not conforming to traditional cultural things, you are now conforming to a group, just with different principles. Make sense? I’ve thought and re-thought all aspects of non-conformity for my entire life, and what I’ve realized is that the vast majority are not fully conforming. We are all non-conformists in one way or another.

http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

If I’m understanding you correctly, Megyn, you’re saying a couple things. First ‘nonconformists’ are simply people who are rejecting one set of rules to embrace another (so they’re actually conformists). Secondly, you’re taking issue with our strong stance against doing things out of obligation. You contend that unless people embrace obligation, societal norms will crumble.

To your first point, you’re clearly correct. It’s all a matter of perspective. We’ve chosen to self-label as ‘nonconformist’ because a) we’ve had it with the way our culture expects our lives to play out, and b) we’re not ‘joining’ a specific group. To me, ‘NonConformist’ fits that pretty damn well.

To your second point, I think you’re also technically correct technically, I guess. But, to be honest with you, Megyn, you’re completely missing the point.

Not bowing to obligation speaks more about being intentional about life – not letting others make decisions for you. We are making choices to align the different elements of our day to day lives with our convictions. We are choosing to live out our belief system, our perspectives.

We argue that life is too short to waste, that our uniqueness is best utilized in community, and that faith deserves to be life’s foundation. I recommend you check out this recent post for some more clarity, Megyn: http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com/2012/05/06/the-great-nonconformist-hoax/

Thanks for your response!

- Josh

About the NCF

If you’re like us, you’ve lived a pretty normal life… and if you’re like us, then historically, well, ‘normal’ hasn’t been that awesome of an experience. Let’s face it:

This site is for people who’ve had it. Had it up to HERE.

Wanna Take the Tour?

Archive of Posts

**This site is for people who’ve had it. Had it up to HERE.**