It's ok to be ordinary

 

The fear of being ordinary is prevalent, especially among younger people. They aspire to stand out from the crowd and to be recognised as special or unique. This is not a bad thing except when carried too far means excessive attachment to a self identity. Centering too much on 'ME' and comparing self with others will inevitably lead to much stress and anxiety.

Truth be told however, if someone says of me 'Oh, she's an ordinary woman' I'll be kind of put off. Surely I am better than most? Haven't I achieved this and that? Perhaps they don't know? This arrogance arises from my ego. But why? Why do I need to be regarded as above others? Does people's view of me matter so much? 

One young blogger who pulled off a 36 hour shift in a start up and coping with anxieties when measuring his achievement with others of his cohort, gained some self awareness when he remarked:

' I had to understand that I deserve love, happiness and peace, regardless of how I perform and what I do later in life. I had to minimize my fears of being average'.

William Martin, author of the book "The Parent's Tao Te Ching" wrote:

'Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of the foolish. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears. Show them how to cry when pets and people die. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. And make the ordinary come alive for them. The extraordinary will take care of itself.'

During this pandemic with so much anxiety and sadness all over the world, one can now truly appreciate the pre-Covid ordinary life and a normal mundane day. We must continue to find joy in each peaceful moment and fulfilment from small acts of grace and kindness. We have to appreciate what we receive from the world and give back in whatever small ways we can. Perhaps then we will feel more at one with the world and less obsessed with this 'six foot long body' and this busy mind. It really doesn't matter whether we are average or not.