Average Is Exceptional
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Lea Woodward, over at Freelance Switch, lays out why average can become exceptional. It’s a topic I’ve considered for a long time, especially during my recent soul-searching and life-structuring. (It relates to the concept of grade inflation, too.) She mentions what happens when you have a society that believes in acheiving greatness as a means for happiness and success:
…[Y]ou have a group of people who never quite feel good enough, hold themselves up to those who are exceptional and will always find themselves wanting; and you have a group or people who are exceptional yet often feel misunderstood and consequently are often lonely!
What a horrible place to live, and yet that is what we are doing more often than not. What truly makes someone exceptional, I believe, is being able to do something s/he loves every day.
If I wake up in the morning, and I get to do something I love, it is a successful day. Usually, for me, that’s designing something, writing or playing music, or programming. If we’re talking about things that make me happy regardless of monetary (if any) return, then you could also add playing a game, taking a walk or riding my bike, or spending time with someone I value.
One of the hardest things for me is realizing that you can do any of those things and it is a successful day. There’s no magic formula that says x% with friends/family, x% working, x% alone. Every day is unique and that is a wonderful thing. I am beliving that more and more and strive each day to create that feeling. I could go a day without seeing anyone, and I would be fine. It is a hard thing to realize, but realizing it is important. Some days I forget, and I have to hope that on those days I don’t get too down on myself or others. More often than not, though, every day is wonderful.
Today I read good blogs, wrote two entries, programmed for a Web site and will be conducting a steel drum ensemble rehearsal tonight. It is a wonderfully, average, exceptional day. How’s yours?
