Thank you, Christina 💜 - for the kind words, the thoughts about art (LOVE that!), and the link to the La La Land song. I've never seen the movie, so the song was new to me. There is something both sad and inspiring about the fact that so many of us live mostly anonymous, ordinary lives ... except if we look closer (at ourselves and the people around us), we realize that there is no such thing as an ordinary life. xo
Jamie, I love these two words and the imagery and thoughts that comes up for me. Since being diagnosed with C-PTSD, I have gathered the elements of Mindfulness into my everyday life, holding them close, experimenting, and working towards making it a practice. The ordinary moments, for me, are the living, the breathing, the discovering by becoming still – being mindful of where we are in this moment. Sure, I like the extraordinary and struggle with it too. Culture’s presence is very felt and seen, showing us the photoshopped images of how other’s live. It’s tempting and I will admit, I was drawn into that once. It’s been a lot of time and energy to unravel and untangle some of those notions. Your post is an appetizer to invite us to go deeper. The comments thread is so interesting as well, bringing other perspectives into this journey of being human. xx
Hello, Rhaine. Thank you so much for adding your voice to this conversation. I'm so grateful that people have been willing to share here. I am especially drawn to your phrase, "discovering by becoming still." It feels like there is so much deep and transformative wisdom in that kind of practice, but it also feels like such a hard one to develop and maintain. Sometimes, I feel like we are constantly fighting a whirling tornado of chaos and noise as we try to get to that moment of calm in the eye of the storm ... the one place where we can hear our own thoughts instead of being forced to listen to everyone else's. It's such a challenge! I'm glad to know you, and to be able to "visit" the quiet reflections you share on Living in the Edges. We need more of those moments, to be sure. 💜
My gut reaction (which you asked for) was "boring" but that is not true. My first thought is that if all we experienced was extraordinary, all of that would become the new ordinary. Wouldn't it? We'd have to look for the super duper extra-extra ordinary. My second thought is there is a uniqueness to the ordinary - it comes in multiple shades and shapes. And sometimes it can be a blessing. Too much of even a good thing can be overwhelming. A touch of the ordinary can help us reset. BTW, I love the conversation you sparked here!!
Excellent points, Cathy. 😊 I agree that too much extraordinary would become the "new ordinary." I also love the idea of the ordinary acting as a kind of reset button - perhaps bringing us home to ourselves in a space where we are not overstimulated and can just relax into "being" without having to think too much. That sounds delightful, especially this time of year! (And - thank you - I'm so grateful for this lovely conversation.)
Yes, this is a great topic! *Ordinary* at first thought is mundane and kind of grey like the Pacific Northwest skies so much of this season (I do live in a rainforest). Whereas *Extraordinary* stands out, and is exceptional, it sparks something bright and colourful that captivates awake attention like a sun-blasted day on a mountaintop. But I crave to live more grounded and in companionship with others on the earth and less stimulated, questing and solo on the mountain expedition, so I am torn between my longing for both the ordinary and the extraordinary.
You touched on something I've been trying to articulate for myself, Heidi - the push and pull between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Like you, I find the ordinary very grounding and even restful. I find words like "ritual" and "routine" and even "tradition" to be full of comfort and often a source of resilience. And yet there is a part of me that yearns for something new and different and exceptional ... those moments of intense insight and feeling. I'm going to guess we need them both, and - once again - the best path is one of temperance.
This is so right on for me also Jamie. Especially this season- I'm all excited to hunker down for winter and get cosy and indulge my introverted self, but after a while I am going to be craving the expansiveness of warmer climes + times-so fortunate live in a place with distinctive seasons that require the temperance you speak of!
Great topic! I crave ordinary. It’s true. I think people underestimate what their “ordinary” actually is and how special it can be. I think if you were to ask any people we think of as “extraordinary”, they would say they feel ordinary. Like status quo in terms of who they are and what they do. It’s just that they elevated their own meaning of ordinary in my opinion. That’s what I like most about extraordinary people - the selfless ones at least - is they don’t think of themselves as extraordinary or different at all.
I love this, Mike. I love the idea of people being kind of "accidentally extraordinary" just by doing what they do in the way they do it. It's so true that what is extraordinary by one person's standards is often amazing by someone else's. It's all relative. I suppose we need each person's extraordinariness, even when (and often because) each person's bit of magic is different.
Ordinary feels rather comforting to me because I realize we are all the same and all different at the same time. If we take the time to learn about people, we discover that "ordinary" folks are actually often "extraordinary" in their own one-of-millions way.
I love both those ideas, Mom - that the ordinary is what ties us together, and that each of us contains a bit of extraordinariness (is that even a word?), even if we don't realize it. Reminds me of the exercise where you think of yourself as a beautifully unique and magical being - the only one of you in all of space and time - AND as a speck of dust. We all have to live somewhere on that spectrum, and I expect where we are changes each day. 😉
I used to balk hard at the word "ordinary" if ever used in reference to my life or my person. That was before my husband's motorcycle accident when, for the better part of three years, nothing about my life or my person was ordinary. As we've come out of that trauma over the past 6-12 months, I've smiled as I've been able to tell people "We are grateful for ordinary problems." To me, this word is about the relationship you have with yourself, your life, and the lives of those around you. Societally, we've given it a so-so connotation, but until you live extra-ordinary on the bad side, it's difficult to know how to be grateful for something so, well, ordinary. Can't wait to read your piece!
Hello, Jess. Always so lovely to see you. Thank you for sharing this perspective. I’m so glad you and your husband are coming out of that awful trauma. There is a deep comfort in “ordinary” that is often overlooked, isn’t there? One we often take for granted. It feels like our culture has focused so much on striving for “more and better” that we fail to recognize the treasure we already hold in our hands. Thank you for being here. 💜
So so very true. That striving for more and better is exhausting and blinds us to the “deep comfort in the ordinary”. So well stated. Always a pleasure and a thought adventure to read your words.
My first reaction to the word "ordinary" is "I'm NOT ordinary." While true in some ways, in others it's just an ego reaction, I think. Because I think we're all the same. As far as my list of 5 extraordinary people goes, I always lead with my favorite:
1. Eleanor Roosevelt
2. Helen Keller
3. Greta Thunberg
4. Malala Yousafzai
5. Brené Brown
No accident that they're all women. I have so many more. xo
Thank you so much, Nan. I always love what you share - in comments and in your writing. Your reaction is an honest one, and I imagine not at all uncommon. And I love your list - the people you’ve chosen AND that they are all women.
I’m curious if you see a through line that connects these women in your mind as being extraordinary. I see themes of compassion, steadfastness, and courage. What do you see?
None of them are selfish people. They see the world beyond their own personal needs and choose to make a difference. They care/d about others. They are, to quote that saying, the change they want to see in the world. Nothing seems too hard for any of them. That's inspiring. I've loved Eleanor and Helen since I was a little girl.
Lovely piece, as always, Jamie. The song reminds me of one of the songs in La La Land.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SL_YMm9C6tw.
I think most of literature and art is about finding the extraordinary in the “ordinary”.
Thank you, Christina 💜 - for the kind words, the thoughts about art (LOVE that!), and the link to the La La Land song. I've never seen the movie, so the song was new to me. There is something both sad and inspiring about the fact that so many of us live mostly anonymous, ordinary lives ... except if we look closer (at ourselves and the people around us), we realize that there is no such thing as an ordinary life. xo
Exactly that. And do watch the film when you need a tonic! The music alone is uplifting. X
Jamie, I love these two words and the imagery and thoughts that comes up for me. Since being diagnosed with C-PTSD, I have gathered the elements of Mindfulness into my everyday life, holding them close, experimenting, and working towards making it a practice. The ordinary moments, for me, are the living, the breathing, the discovering by becoming still – being mindful of where we are in this moment. Sure, I like the extraordinary and struggle with it too. Culture’s presence is very felt and seen, showing us the photoshopped images of how other’s live. It’s tempting and I will admit, I was drawn into that once. It’s been a lot of time and energy to unravel and untangle some of those notions. Your post is an appetizer to invite us to go deeper. The comments thread is so interesting as well, bringing other perspectives into this journey of being human. xx
Hello, Rhaine. Thank you so much for adding your voice to this conversation. I'm so grateful that people have been willing to share here. I am especially drawn to your phrase, "discovering by becoming still." It feels like there is so much deep and transformative wisdom in that kind of practice, but it also feels like such a hard one to develop and maintain. Sometimes, I feel like we are constantly fighting a whirling tornado of chaos and noise as we try to get to that moment of calm in the eye of the storm ... the one place where we can hear our own thoughts instead of being forced to listen to everyone else's. It's such a challenge! I'm glad to know you, and to be able to "visit" the quiet reflections you share on Living in the Edges. We need more of those moments, to be sure. 💜
My gut reaction (which you asked for) was "boring" but that is not true. My first thought is that if all we experienced was extraordinary, all of that would become the new ordinary. Wouldn't it? We'd have to look for the super duper extra-extra ordinary. My second thought is there is a uniqueness to the ordinary - it comes in multiple shades and shapes. And sometimes it can be a blessing. Too much of even a good thing can be overwhelming. A touch of the ordinary can help us reset. BTW, I love the conversation you sparked here!!
Relaxing into being - I love that!!!
Excellent points, Cathy. 😊 I agree that too much extraordinary would become the "new ordinary." I also love the idea of the ordinary acting as a kind of reset button - perhaps bringing us home to ourselves in a space where we are not overstimulated and can just relax into "being" without having to think too much. That sounds delightful, especially this time of year! (And - thank you - I'm so grateful for this lovely conversation.)
Yes, this is a great topic! *Ordinary* at first thought is mundane and kind of grey like the Pacific Northwest skies so much of this season (I do live in a rainforest). Whereas *Extraordinary* stands out, and is exceptional, it sparks something bright and colourful that captivates awake attention like a sun-blasted day on a mountaintop. But I crave to live more grounded and in companionship with others on the earth and less stimulated, questing and solo on the mountain expedition, so I am torn between my longing for both the ordinary and the extraordinary.
You touched on something I've been trying to articulate for myself, Heidi - the push and pull between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Like you, I find the ordinary very grounding and even restful. I find words like "ritual" and "routine" and even "tradition" to be full of comfort and often a source of resilience. And yet there is a part of me that yearns for something new and different and exceptional ... those moments of intense insight and feeling. I'm going to guess we need them both, and - once again - the best path is one of temperance.
This is so right on for me also Jamie. Especially this season- I'm all excited to hunker down for winter and get cosy and indulge my introverted self, but after a while I am going to be craving the expansiveness of warmer climes + times-so fortunate live in a place with distinctive seasons that require the temperance you speak of!
Great topic! I crave ordinary. It’s true. I think people underestimate what their “ordinary” actually is and how special it can be. I think if you were to ask any people we think of as “extraordinary”, they would say they feel ordinary. Like status quo in terms of who they are and what they do. It’s just that they elevated their own meaning of ordinary in my opinion. That’s what I like most about extraordinary people - the selfless ones at least - is they don’t think of themselves as extraordinary or different at all.
I love this, Mike. I love the idea of people being kind of "accidentally extraordinary" just by doing what they do in the way they do it. It's so true that what is extraordinary by one person's standards is often amazing by someone else's. It's all relative. I suppose we need each person's extraordinariness, even when (and often because) each person's bit of magic is different.
Ordinary feels rather comforting to me because I realize we are all the same and all different at the same time. If we take the time to learn about people, we discover that "ordinary" folks are actually often "extraordinary" in their own one-of-millions way.
I love both those ideas, Mom - that the ordinary is what ties us together, and that each of us contains a bit of extraordinariness (is that even a word?), even if we don't realize it. Reminds me of the exercise where you think of yourself as a beautifully unique and magical being - the only one of you in all of space and time - AND as a speck of dust. We all have to live somewhere on that spectrum, and I expect where we are changes each day. 😉
I used to balk hard at the word "ordinary" if ever used in reference to my life or my person. That was before my husband's motorcycle accident when, for the better part of three years, nothing about my life or my person was ordinary. As we've come out of that trauma over the past 6-12 months, I've smiled as I've been able to tell people "We are grateful for ordinary problems." To me, this word is about the relationship you have with yourself, your life, and the lives of those around you. Societally, we've given it a so-so connotation, but until you live extra-ordinary on the bad side, it's difficult to know how to be grateful for something so, well, ordinary. Can't wait to read your piece!
Hello, Jess. Always so lovely to see you. Thank you for sharing this perspective. I’m so glad you and your husband are coming out of that awful trauma. There is a deep comfort in “ordinary” that is often overlooked, isn’t there? One we often take for granted. It feels like our culture has focused so much on striving for “more and better” that we fail to recognize the treasure we already hold in our hands. Thank you for being here. 💜
So so very true. That striving for more and better is exhausting and blinds us to the “deep comfort in the ordinary”. So well stated. Always a pleasure and a thought adventure to read your words.
My first reaction to the word "ordinary" is "I'm NOT ordinary." While true in some ways, in others it's just an ego reaction, I think. Because I think we're all the same. As far as my list of 5 extraordinary people goes, I always lead with my favorite:
1. Eleanor Roosevelt
2. Helen Keller
3. Greta Thunberg
4. Malala Yousafzai
5. Brené Brown
No accident that they're all women. I have so many more. xo
Thank you so much, Nan. I always love what you share - in comments and in your writing. Your reaction is an honest one, and I imagine not at all uncommon. And I love your list - the people you’ve chosen AND that they are all women.
I’m curious if you see a through line that connects these women in your mind as being extraordinary. I see themes of compassion, steadfastness, and courage. What do you see?
None of them are selfish people. They see the world beyond their own personal needs and choose to make a difference. They care/d about others. They are, to quote that saying, the change they want to see in the world. Nothing seems too hard for any of them. That's inspiring. I've loved Eleanor and Helen since I was a little girl.
Beautifully said, Nan. Thank you. 💜