I keep seeing all these articles: How not to live an ordinary life, How to make a real impact on the world, How leave a lasting impact.
They just irritate me. What the hell is wrong with an ordinary life? I don’t see any problem with simply living a good life. Working hard, raising a family, educating your children well, and being content. There is so much you can do in an ordinary life. There is nothing extraordinary about buying a sandwich in the store and handing it to the homeless man begging. It’s simple and easy and fits in your ordinary life. It teaches your child something and it makes a difference to the hungry man. It’s ordinary. Or it should be.
When I worked tech the topic would always come up at eval time. Shooting stars. Who were the shooting stars, the employees who should get raises and promotions. Myself and another manager would always argue that the shooting stars were great but someone had to keep the fucking lights on and maybe, just maybe, we should consider rewarding the guy who made it possible for the shooting star to be extraordinary. Because if the ordinary guy, who came in every day and did all the work assigned to him without attitude, never once said “That’s beneath me,” left, who the heck was gonna do all the work the extraordinary people refused to do because it was too ordinary.
Maybe we could all just be a little more ordinary. Do the work in front of us. Solve the problems presented to us on a daily basis. Not everyone can bring world peace. Not everyone can solve world hunger. Those who can, already know they are extraordinary. Let them do it. Let them have the big shooting star problems.
I embrace my ordinariness. I teach my child well, because he might just be extraordinary. I donate my time to worthwhile local charities. I donate my son’s time to worthwhile local charities. I put less presents under the tree for my kid, but let him pick out things to donate for people in need. I buy sandwiches and fruit for the hungry guy. I pick up garbage on the street. I clean up my dog’s poop when I walk him. I sit on boards and do what needs to be done.
I make the small sphere I live in, a little better each day. I don’t need to be extraordinary. I just make small, little steps part of my ordinary every day life. Someday, some shooting star will solve all the big problems. In the mean time, I’ll keep the lights on, thanks.
T.A. Henry 
It’s all a matter of perspective. I think you’re rather extraordinary. You do so much for so many. Thank you for teaching the Nano to Publish class and for taking the time to introduce me to the blogosphere. You’re raising an amazing little man, and in my opinion, all mom’s are superheroes! Many people ignore the homeless and those in need – you see them, feed them and care. You’re keeping the lights on in your part of the world. That’s what stars do, they light up their part of the sky. Thank you for all you do.
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You’re gonna make me cry. But thank you.
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Happy New Year girlfriend 😘
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Back at ya.
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I like your take on ordinary … and when you turn the lights on I can see them from the UK. Happy New Year to you and yours. Eric.
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Thank you.
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I like your thoughts. That’s how I felt back when I sang in a choir… I was never the kid who got the solos or the duets or, in general, the cool parts. For a while I was good at high notes, but I’m naturally more of an alto than a soprano. Sometimes I couldn’t hit the notes right on the first try. But the thing I had going for me was that if I hit a long, sustained note, I hit it and stayed on it. I was part of a backbone of sound, man, and that was important. That pretty much describes my role in social circles and my professional life — a little bit quality over quantity, but what I do I do well. Hurray for the ordinaries, we make the world go round!
Also, I’ve nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award. 😊 You can find all the details here. Thank you for all of your excellent posts, and happy New Year! https://atmilliwayswithapen.wordpress.com/2016/12/30/mystery-blogger-award/
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Thank you, that is sweet. I will check it out.
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Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t shooting stars the things that are about to either burn out or crash? Well, they do say the brightest flame burns quickest.
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ROFL- gotta love a scientific mind.
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I like being ordinary, average, normal (at least when sober), and right smack dab in the center of the bell curve. A ‘C’ student who takes regular classes–that’s me. But, I’m also quieter than most, (certainly most Texas Aggies), more open minded than the average white, senior, male; and I have several other traits that may pull me off center.
I agree with Sue. Like it or not, many of us consider you exceptional. Based on what you wrote here, you are an extraordinary lady who has made an impact on many lives. I hope you continue to be you. You’re special. Deal with it! And thank you for all you’ve done this past year.
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Stop it. I’m gonna cry like a baby.
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There’s no cry in writing….no wait, that’s baseball. Ok, cry if you must. But you must also know that I’m right.
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Um…I have no aspirations to be extraordinary. Content and at peace in a calm life is my goal.
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Two cheers for ordinary! Thank you.
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You know what I am talking about. You make it ordinary too.
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