I believe I do live an extraordinary life. Does it have it’s obstacles? yes of course! That is life.
Since My Mother died when I was 40 I know life it too short and I choose to live it to the fullest.
I looked up “extra ordinary” on line. This is the definition I found: “very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange.” I’m thinking all of those descriptions have showed up in my life experience at one time or another and I am grateful for them all. However, I have not always believed that Life is trustworthy and many times my negative feelings generated an unhealthy energy that was not conducive to positive outcomes. Trusting Life and trusting myself took many years and a mountain of tears. What kept me from trusting? A poor self image, bullying as a child, religious dogma that accented the need to be perfect to be loved. What helped me to learn to trust? Life-giving relationships, the writings of many spiritual gurus, the challenges that forced me to dig deeper. On June 22nd, I was 81 years old and fortunate to still be around. I trust that through a commitment to remain willing, I can expect both the ordinary and extra ordinary to come my way.
Hmm, this question gets at a big issue
for me. When I find myself comparing
my life and experiences to others, which
I fall into quite often, I can become envious
and filled with self pity or even anger at the
uneven distribution of labor and wealth and
the absolute blindness and justifications some people have to other people’s experience.
Now, having said that, I am attempting to
have some perspective. Some contentment.
Attempting to find the extraordinary in the
ordinary.
I started reading The Monastic Heart by Joan Chittister. She writes about the Benedictine framework for people who are not on a monastic path, but who wish to learn from their practices and beliefs. She describes the Benedictine path as very much about embracing the ordinary. I find it more comforting, realistic and hopeful to aspire to live an ordinary life very well. At least for today, I will leave the extraordinary to others.
Nelson Mandela said:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate (ordinary).
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful (extraordinary) beyond measure.
We ask ourselves: WHO am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
I am content with my ordinary life and its extraordinary elements. Just being alive is extraordinary. The miracle of a human body is extraordinary. The variety of plant colors and animal life is extraordinary.
I do lead an extroidinary life and for that I am very grateful. There may be ups and downs but I am alive and moving and can do just about what I want to do…body willing!! I am Blessed beyond measure. Part of this understanding is being part of this group where I continue to learn and be amazed. Blessings.
In the present nothing. I now see with gratitude how fortunate and extraordinary my life is. I have not always looked at my life this way. With the practice of meditation, mindfulness and this site along with all the collective wisdom shared on these pages daily, it has become abundantly clear.
I am living a very extraordinary life-abundantly filled with Grace, and opportunities to grow by rowing a little bit further out away from the shoreline. I say this metaphorically, as I don’t own a boat nor am a boater. Being human, I have a pause moment, that creates a mental scenario of fear that in the past would immobilize me. Today, A deep breathe and some re-centering leads me to abandoning myself more into the Loving Care of the Divine; Trusting Infinite God and not my finite self.
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I believe I do live an extraordinary life. Does it have it’s obstacles? yes of course! That is life.
Since My Mother died when I was 40 I know life it too short and I choose to live it to the fullest.
An extra ordinary life is amazing 🤩
I looked up “extra ordinary” on line. This is the definition I found: “very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange.” I’m thinking all of those descriptions have showed up in my life experience at one time or another and I am grateful for them all. However, I have not always believed that Life is trustworthy and many times my negative feelings generated an unhealthy energy that was not conducive to positive outcomes. Trusting Life and trusting myself took many years and a mountain of tears. What kept me from trusting? A poor self image, bullying as a child, religious dogma that accented the need to be perfect to be loved. What helped me to learn to trust? Life-giving relationships, the writings of many spiritual gurus, the challenges that forced me to dig deeper. On June 22nd, I was 81 years old and fortunate to still be around. I trust that through a commitment to remain willing, I can expect both the ordinary and extra ordinary to come my way.
Thank you for that reflection Carol.
Hmm, this question gets at a big issue
for me. When I find myself comparing
my life and experiences to others, which
I fall into quite often, I can become envious
and filled with self pity or even anger at the
uneven distribution of labor and wealth and
the absolute blindness and justifications some people have to other people’s experience.
Now, having said that, I am attempting to
have some perspective. Some contentment.
Attempting to find the extraordinary in the
ordinary.
I can’t trust my way into recognizing whether or not my life is extraordinary. I have to pay attention to the wonders around and inside me.
Exactly. Thanks for this. 🙏
I started reading The Monastic Heart by Joan Chittister. She writes about the Benedictine framework for people who are not on a monastic path, but who wish to learn from their practices and beliefs. She describes the Benedictine path as very much about embracing the ordinary. I find it more comforting, realistic and hopeful to aspire to live an ordinary life very well. At least for today, I will leave the extraordinary to others.
What holds me back is fear and trust.
Nelson Mandela said:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate (ordinary).
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful (extraordinary) beyond measure.
We ask ourselves: WHO am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
If I’m not mistaken, the author of this quote is Marianne Williamson, in, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”
I am not sure where I got it from but it resonates heavily with me.
The question implies that ‘extraordinary life’ is better than an ordinary life. I’m ok with ordinary. apparently ‘extraordinary’ is not for everyone.
Thanks Michele. I am with you and others on this one. Ordinary is fine!
I am content with my ordinary life and its extraordinary elements. Just being alive is extraordinary. The miracle of a human body is extraordinary. The variety of plant colors and animal life is extraordinary.
I do lead an extroidinary life and for that I am very grateful. There may be ups and downs but I am alive and moving and can do just about what I want to do…body willing!! I am Blessed beyond measure. Part of this understanding is being part of this group where I continue to learn and be amazed. Blessings.
The years that are now gone.
Nothing! I realized that was the truth after I found the strength to leave my ex. Now I live that extraordinary life that was mine all along 💫
I agree!!
In the present nothing. I now see with gratitude how fortunate and extraordinary my life is. I have not always looked at my life this way. With the practice of meditation, mindfulness and this site along with all the collective wisdom shared on these pages daily, it has become abundantly clear.
I am living a very extraordinary life-abundantly filled with Grace, and opportunities to grow by rowing a little bit further out away from the shoreline. I say this metaphorically, as I don’t own a boat nor am a boater. Being human, I have a pause moment, that creates a mental scenario of fear that in the past would immobilize me. Today, A deep breathe and some re-centering leads me to abandoning myself more into the Loving Care of the Divine; Trusting Infinite God and not my finite self.
Thanks for such helpful words, Carla. They
touch my present experience & guide me in taking my boat out a little further. Namaste!
This new day with endless possibilities and opportunities.