Empower Newsletter – May 2017
Do you know?
‘the benefits of honouring ordinariness’
'When we learn the value of honouring the ordinariness of our life
instead of chasing the torment of needing to BE extraordinary we are
on the path to setting ourselves free.’ ~ Author unknown ~
This quote is the inspiration for this month’s Newsletter. When I read it it got me pondering about how I felt that I was born to be extraordinary. Funny thing is, from my experience with other people, they all seem to have this deep seeded belief as well.
For some of us, this belief drives us to be better and for others it stops us from feeling satisfied with who we are now as this expectation creates the feeling that we are not good enough yet? That is, until we achieve ‘this’ extraordinariness we won’t be good enough, we would be less than ordinary or even worse, the opposite of ordinary, odd or abnormal.
Putting this expectation on ourselves that we need to achieve more in order to be more only continues to reinforce that we are not good enough yet. My question is, ‘Good enough for what exactly?’ Good enough to deserve to be happy, content or even good enough to feel free to do what we want!
My truth is that we are continually learning, growing and improving whether we want to or not anyway. Life has a funny way of pushing us and challenging us which makes standing still or being stagnant impossible.
Being extraordinary to me is being the best ‘you’ you can be right now! The expectation that you are not good enough right now only leads to feelings of disappointment and unhappiness.
Wanting to excel at something is great but not at the expense of being caught up in feelings that only reinforce your dissatisfaction and disappointment with yourself. As long as you are striving to achieve something because it’s something you truly want and not because you feel you need to in order to be good enough.
Ordinariness is not something to be feared, it is something that can enable us to function without self-judgement in a more simple and straightforward way.
Remember you are special, ordinary and extraordinary (perfect) just the way you are right now!
Definition |
Ordinariness
1. something regular, customary, or usual
2. the quality or condition of being usual
3. the quality of being commonplace and ordinary
Something to Ponder |
Fear of being ordinary
All our lives we fear being ordinary. The ordinary frightens us. Relying as we do on an identity based on external labels and achievements, we strive to stand out from others. Alas, trying to fulfil our need for being special through external means is like filling a bottomless pit. No matter how successful we may be in our professions or how much fame and glory we may attain, our sense of self will be shaky. After all, there is always someone who has achieved more than we have, and even fame and glory fade. In the meanwhile in our struggle to be better than the other, we alienate them, for there is nothing that rents the fabric of our interconnectedness and interdependence as feeling superior to others.
~ Nandini Murali ~
Quote of the Month |
“And while it takes courage to achieve greatness, it takes more courage to find fulfilment in being ordinary.”
~ Marilyn Thomsen ~
Affirmation Corner |
‘I am perfect just the way I am right now.’
Newsletters | Di | 
April 30, 2017 1:07 pm
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