Finding life in the ordinary

 In a world that has a high regard for extraordinary, where do you stand?

The sun shone brightly in the clear sky when I was on my way to go grocery shopping which was my Sunday routine. It was really a lovely day that made me take out my phone camera to capture such a moment. I thought of the caption “finding life in the ordinary” while taking those photos. I didn't even know what that meant exactly, however that sounded bizarre to me and it put me in a nice mood. I didn’t give so much meaning to it as I went on with my day.

It only struck me again when I was browsing those photos on my phone for I wanted to share it on social media. I was deep in thought and lost in words. It felt like those meaningful words had become meaningless after all. I tried to google it so that perhaps I could find the answers that I wanted but I just couldn’t express it. I wished to recreate the moment it appealed to me when I first thought about it. I started to type “What is an ordinary life?” in the search bar and it presented me with articles regarding the power and wonders of embracing an ordinary life. It was fascinating but you know what, it made me even confused. Well, we could say ordinary life is carrying out our usual activities day by day. But altogether, it depicted the ordinary as less impressive, lowly, repetitive, and dull, perhaps in essence, lifeless. Then what made my heart raced fast for finding life in the ordinary when it was lifeless to begin with? 

It was quite silly of where these thoughts would lead me to. Surprisingly, I was reminded of the times when I was battling with recurring sickness which hindered my daily activities. All I could do back then was to beg the Divine Being to give my life back. I didn't want anything grand, I just wanted to be healthy to be able to do the things I used to do. I also questioned what was the use of having all of those fan merchandise collections which I eagerly and patiently had when I couldn’t even afford to smile just by seeing them grow in number because I was in pain. Now that I am all healed, I am starting to get ambitious again. I begin to want this and that. I want to pursue greater heights. Yet, nothing is going my way.  Perhaps, this is what that little voice inside me is wanting to tell me - to seek life in the ordinary, to find joy in even the little things. It may be lifeless to how others view it but this is where my life is. 

"I think the biggest thing we can do to find power in the ordinary is to decide that in spite of everything, in spite of capitalism, in spite of the timelines, in spite of the pressure, we're going to find ways to embrace our most ordinary selves." - Rainesford Stauffer, writer and the author of An Ordinary Age: Finding Your Way in a World That Expects Exceptional.

We are not required to fit in with the world’s expectations though we don’t need to stop working towards being exceptional if we have the chance or if that reserves a room for growth and improvement. We should avoid falling into the trap of comparing our life to others simply because we have our own journey to take. Possibly, we can become extraordinary in our own way and finally, we can find fulfillment in the life we live. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11

I greatly realized that having an extraordinary life may not mean a fulfilling life if it  would not uphold the core value to a contented life  which I believe, stands in “This is me and this is what matters.” -MESSY E.

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