Sunday, May 9, 2010

Less Than Ordinary

No one wants to be ordinary. The American dream is "bigger and better" moving forward, learning, aquiring, upgrading, making more, doing more, going farther, setting records. Beyond even the American dream perhaps, this defines the human spirit everywhere. No one wants to end up the old cat lady; or the man whose highlight of the day is picking up the newspaper at the end of his drive and reading about the accomplishments of others, the people beyond ordinary enough to gain attention in the media.

The ordinary person drives a car.
The above ordinary person drives a nice car, a newer car; has enough money to keep it clean, maybe even modify and customize it.
Am I less than ordinary because I walked to Safeway this morning for my groceries?
Would I be more than less ordinary if maybe I washed my backpack or put a snazzy keychain on it?

The ordinary person has a kitchen.
The above ordinary person has a nice kitchen, and maybe never even uses it because they have someone to cook their food for them.
Am I less than ordinary because I prepare the same four or five meals every week, using only a coffee maker?
Would I be more than less ordinary if I occasionally threw in a microwaved item?

The ordinary person wants to be more than ordinary.
The above ordinary person doesn't know they are.
Am I less than ordinary because I don't want to be more than ordinary?
Would I be more than less ordinary if I tried to achieve a greater degree of less ordinary?