The older I get, the more I realize that I am just average. I'm not spectacular at anything. I don't have any amazing abilities or talents. I'm pretty good at some things, and pretty bad at some things, but most of all I just fall into the middle ground.
Usually I'm okay with being middle of the ground. Usually I'm happy with my small circle of influence. This past week, however, I started thinking about how nice it would be to be FANTASTIC at something. Wouldn't it be great to be able to paint beautiful art, or play uplifting music, or be an awesome soccer player? If I'm honest with myself, I realize that I am far too lazy to cultivate what little talent I have to become that inspiring person. I guess I just have to be happy with my little talents and making the little differences in my own little world.
So how do you feel about being ordinary? Are YOU okay with it? Or maybe you don't fall in the "ordinary" category. In that case, what is it like to be you, Mr. Extraordinary Person?
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13 comments:
I'm fine being ordinary. I used to dream of being rich and famous, but I have come to accept my ordinariness fully.
You are extraordinary; you can't see it like those around you do.
Jamie, I think sometimes it's hard to see ourselves the way other people see us. I think you are an extraordinary, loving, compassionate person. I have a really hard time feeling like I'm much of anything sometimes. I wish like you I had more talents or otherwise, and I often feel "blue" and am VERY aware of my deficiencies. I guess one of the biggest blessings we could ask for is to see others and OURSELVES as Heavenly Father sees us, and make corrections or stretch ourselves in the ways HE sees necessary, and let all the other stuff go.
Uhm, yeah, you were extraordinary to me last week. I took some advise you gave and applied it (forgot to mention this to you yesterday though). And I felt really good about it...made me feel great and therefore, you are extraordinary!
Thanks guys! I appreciate your nice words. I really do know that I am extraordinary to the people I love and that love me. And I know that Heavenly Father loves me. I guess I really was just thinking that it would be kind of cool to be AMAZING at one talent or skill. You know, like being the best under-water-scrap-booker around. Maybe I should consider taking that up. . .
I guess a better question would have been "Do you wish you had a really cool talent?" Or "Do you have any FANTASTIC abilities?"
Yes, my answer then is YES! All the time! Even a normal talent like playing the piano would be nice for me. I'm trying to teach myself, only it's hard to sit down and do it.
I struggle with being "oridinary" sometimes too. Then I remember that the little things I do everyday are the most important, caring for my son and trying to be a good wife and homemaker. In the next life it won't matter if we are a champion figure skater or a concert pianist, but how we treat people and what's in our heart will. -Kori
I would love to be great at dancing. It is one thing that I really love. I took it when I was really little and gave it up for some reason, probably to play a sport. I took it again at 16 and loved it, and now I miss it. But to be really amazing at one thing, I realized, was to give up being "aveage" at a bunch of things. I decided then to be average at a bunch of things, life for me is funner that way.
Jamie, I have to say, you ARE amazing at cooking!!! I have always loved the dinners you have made for us...Steve is a lucky man! As for what I wish I were good at...I have wished I could play the harp, or that I were more creative with helping others. Being able to play ball sports would be nice too. I have to say, Jesse told me once that he really wishes he could be a great painter. (That was after watching Bob Ross work his magic on TV).
I think you are great! I think I am finally coming to terms with the whole "I am average" thing and I must say that I really enjoy it.
Jamie, thanks for writing such a thought-provoking post.
Cassie's comment is right on -- to be amazing at one thing, you usually have to give up being ordinary in a lot of things.
I think it's a matter of finding balance. For some, that one thing is worth it. For others, doing many average things brings happiness.
For me, I just hope to be ordinary in an extraordinary way, and learn to accept myself for who I am with both my weaknesses and my strengths.
I am ordinary to the extreme. When you have a lot of kids people usually try to bump you up to extrodinary...but I am just still lil 'ol me..and happy to be.
Well, except for the running thing...and y'all know how good I am at that hee hee
But, I am not giving up...yet..if I start again in a few weeks and land on crutches again...THEN maybe I will give up n that dream. :D
And Jamie, you are extrordinary in so many ways! I think any woman who has a hubby wanting to be a doc. is extrodinary. You have to do SO many things and a lot of times on your own. You are a kind, loving and supportive wife, a great mom to two sweet little girls and a great friend and servant of the Lord. Who could ask for anything more?!?!
((((((Jamie))))))
forgot my last line lol
your extrodinary in all the ordinary ways that matter! :D
My question is: what and who define what is ordinary and what is extraordinary? What may be amazing to one person can be completely boring and run-of-the-mill to another. We need to take a step back and recognize that we are extraordinary for who we are and what we do every day, not for one particular attention-grabbing talent.
You do so many things so well, and without much effort that you probably don't even recognize how great you do them! (Take your home decorating, for example... I think you've done a wonderful job, and since that's not one of my talents I tend to think that's a big deal!)
You truly are extraordinary!
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