How Do You Define Yourself?

Ordinary...a subjective word. You may even say that you want something out of the ordinary, on occasion. Which may mean food, entertainment, or way to spend your free time. As humans, we tend to become bored and ready to do something different as we go through life. However you define something that is "ordinary" someone else may find it "blah" or "extraordinary."

Knowing that the word is subjective, how would you label yourself? Would it simply be "ordinary?" Would it be "extraordinary?" Think about it while you read this week's quote...

I can’t believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.

 ~ Lou Holtz

One of the exciting things for me is to be able to team up with God and get to do some extraordinary things. I may be "ordinary" in some ways, but with God I am extraordinary.

I love to be able to go through each day not knowing what may come my way that my God and I will be able to do that day. There are so many things that I may have the opportunity to do that I have no idea what it will be like. It makes me look forward to the next day and the next hour. What may come as interruptions may be exactly the opportunity I was anticipating.

I don't believe I was put on this earth to be "ordinary" because there are simply so many things that I can do that are "extraordinary."

Now it's your turn...what is extraordinary about you?

On Earth to Be Ordinary?

Life is generally what you make of it (or don't make of it). There is no way to deny that life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes those happen on a daily basis. You could be in an "up" or a "down" moment right now and that will determine a bit of how you view life.

As Christians, we are called to be different. We are not to be ordinary, of the "world" or anything like that. We are called to "be holy", set apart. Let us show people we are different, but not in a yellow-with-purple-spots unitard kind of way, but in an "I'm here when you need it" kind of way. The "it" could be when they are going through a victory or a defeat. When they are needing someone to watch kids or needing to go out for coffee. When they are needing a smile or reminded that they aren't the next 'American Idol'.

We aren't expected to be ordinary, which was inspired by this week's quote...

I can't believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary. ~ Lou Holtz

I can't believe it either! In fact, I know so. There are too many ordinary people. We are given all the chances in the world to be ordinary. Let's be something different...maybe even EXTRAordinary. What will you do extra?

The other day, I wrote a post on a listserv I subscribe to that people all over the country are a part of. It is somewhat of a brainstorming and sharing listserv with people involved with Coalitions. I wrote about a recent CNBC program regarding marijuana and its legality in Mendicino County, CA. Yesterday, I received a nice, encouraging e-mail, appreciating my post. It really boosted my week. It was ordinary to read it, but it was extraordinary to send an appreciation e-mail to the author of the post.

Don't believe you were put on this earth to be ordinary...because you weren't! Now do something to show it!

The Difference Between Ordinary & Extraordinary

When you get a group of people working together, over time, things start to emerge. At first, people may be going at a good speed to accomplish the task. Then, after a while, some will likely start to fade out. The task will become boring, too hard, someone's bound to have a headache, the temperature is too hot or cold. Sometimes, when the task is "just about finished", they'll quit to let the rest finish the job. Other things tend to emerge. The task will be enjoyable, challenging, beneficial, etc. These descriptions will be used, even if the previous thoughts/feelings are experienced. I once read about the difference between ordinary and extraordinary, and it was surprisingly simple. This brings us to this week's quote...

We must overcome the notion that we must be regular... it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre. ~ Uta Hagen

The difference: "a little extra". That is all it is. Simple, huh? There are too many regular people, what is fun about regularity? How many will try the new variation of a food item (i.e. candy bar, burger, pizza, etc.) just because it isn't the 'regular' one?

You don't have to be regular. Regular is the "middle of the road", same ol', same ol'. Go bigger! Go the "extra" to get yourself from ordinary to extraordinary!!!

Don't let being regular rob you of something that could thrust you into something great, unthinkable, extraordinary!

Have a great end of your week!

Striving for the "Extra" in life...