I’m so glad you took the path of sobriety. I believe you’ve been so blessed ever since. What a remarkable evening attending the launch of Norton Smith's book about Gerald Ford. What extraordinary life you lead Dee, inspiring others to overcome their weaknesses. ✨💜✨
What an amazing experience to attend the launch of Norton Smith's book about Gerald Ford! The crowning line in this essay is "It's context then." So true. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, ordinary is based on the lens of the viewer and there are many things that influence this perspective.
Dee, I don’t know what is ordinary or normal. I’ve lived more than one of those lives. Ordinary used to be waking up at 4am to plan a mission, cat shot at 7, back on the boat by 11:30 for a workout and repeat. One ordinary day I got sprayed with jet fuel because a hornet couldn’t shut off its fuel dumps. Nor ordinary is teaching a very precocious 9 year old how to become even more precocious.
I think we could all use to appreciate each other’s ordinary a little more. Nice work brother.
"So if life—and the modern world around us—is addictive by its very nature, then by extension it is extraordinary to live a life of sobriety and inner work."
The juxtapositions of all the lives you mention is fabulous. All “ordinary” to them, extraordinary to so many of the rest of us.
I imagine many people have suggested you write a memoir of your extraordinary life. My family and friends surely have said that to me. I never viewed my life other than ordinary. I never thought anyone would be interested. While I still have enormous doubts about anyone’s interest, I’ve found I have stories to tell!
I haven’t truly liked the word ordinary, because in my mind it equalled “plain”. (As in, she’s a plain girl, they live a plain life) and I never wanted to be called that. The same with the word mundane.
I thought this until I was fortunate enough to be under the tutelage of a First Nations Medicine Woman. She taught me many things over the course of a few years, one of which was to be observant of the mundane, and to see the beauty in it. Truly, there was nothing boring about it.
True Teyani…noting plain or boring about that! I forgot plain as a synonym—it’s a good one. Never ever want to be plain or ordinary or anything like that—and yet we strive for those simple peaceful aspects of our life. 🙏
I know that single parent with three kids kind of "ordinary." My 12 yr old makes her own breakfast now, but most mornings I make three breakfasts (including my own), wash the dishes, and fill water bottles and snacks (sometimes pack 2 lunches) -- all within about 30 minutes, so I can get the kiddos moving to the car in time for school. Ordinary to me -- not to most.
Indeed in both respects. That’s what I found so fascinating about the idea of ordinary things—it wouldn’t even occur to me to start my day like that—nor would it be for you to walk 4 dogs every morning.
I’ve always had issue with the term “new normal”. Normal could be looked as a synonym to average. Your “normal” is different from mine. Declaring a new average seems a little far fetched. I’ve always preferred to look at “new normal” as just current normal and even that should take time to become…and that’s probably not normal. Don’t ask me what I just said, I have no clue. Maybe it’s just confirming and agreeing with you that it’s all a myth.
I agree, Dee, there was nothing merely ordinary about that awesome bunch of air balloons. I realized both then and now that I could never have that pleasure. But then I will never have the pleasure of winning a lottery either, but it doesn't stop me from imagining that I will. (sigh)
This was a great post, Dee! Thank you for the memories.
Experiencing the extraordinary within the seemingly ordinary is one of my practices.
I’m so glad you took the path of sobriety. I believe you’ve been so blessed ever since. What a remarkable evening attending the launch of Norton Smith's book about Gerald Ford. What extraordinary life you lead Dee, inspiring others to overcome their weaknesses. ✨💜✨
Thank you so much Charlotte. Your kind words made my morning 🙏❤️
What an amazing experience to attend the launch of Norton Smith's book about Gerald Ford! The crowning line in this essay is "It's context then." So true. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, ordinary is based on the lens of the viewer and there are many things that influence this perspective.
Yea it was a really neat event like nothing I’d ever experienced then or since. Made me glad I’m not that close to politics 🙄
Thais for reading Donna 🙏 it was a fun one to write.
I really like this Alan Watts quote: “The mundane and the sacred are one and the same.”
There’s lot to think about here, Dee. Great post!
Thank you so much for reading Priya 🙏
Dee, I don’t know what is ordinary or normal. I’ve lived more than one of those lives. Ordinary used to be waking up at 4am to plan a mission, cat shot at 7, back on the boat by 11:30 for a workout and repeat. One ordinary day I got sprayed with jet fuel because a hornet couldn’t shut off its fuel dumps. Nor ordinary is teaching a very precocious 9 year old how to become even more precocious.
I think we could all use to appreciate each other’s ordinary a little more. Nice work brother.
Agreed my friend. Perspective is a key. I can’t imagine your ordinary 🙄
I mean, much like yours, it’s in service of others.
"So if life—and the modern world around us—is addictive by its very nature, then by extension it is extraordinary to live a life of sobriety and inner work."
👌👌👌👌
The juxtapositions of all the lives you mention is fabulous. All “ordinary” to them, extraordinary to so many of the rest of us.
I imagine many people have suggested you write a memoir of your extraordinary life. My family and friends surely have said that to me. I never viewed my life other than ordinary. I never thought anyone would be interested. While I still have enormous doubts about anyone’s interest, I’ve found I have stories to tell!
I haven’t truly liked the word ordinary, because in my mind it equalled “plain”. (As in, she’s a plain girl, they live a plain life) and I never wanted to be called that. The same with the word mundane.
I thought this until I was fortunate enough to be under the tutelage of a First Nations Medicine Woman. She taught me many things over the course of a few years, one of which was to be observant of the mundane, and to see the beauty in it. Truly, there was nothing boring about it.
True Teyani…noting plain or boring about that! I forgot plain as a synonym—it’s a good one. Never ever want to be plain or ordinary or anything like that—and yet we strive for those simple peaceful aspects of our life. 🙏
Indeed. Every day as I age, I revel in the small routines that I live..
I know that single parent with three kids kind of "ordinary." My 12 yr old makes her own breakfast now, but most mornings I make three breakfasts (including my own), wash the dishes, and fill water bottles and snacks (sometimes pack 2 lunches) -- all within about 30 minutes, so I can get the kiddos moving to the car in time for school. Ordinary to me -- not to most.
Indeed in both respects. That’s what I found so fascinating about the idea of ordinary things—it wouldn’t even occur to me to start my day like that—nor would it be for you to walk 4 dogs every morning.
I’ve always had issue with the term “new normal”. Normal could be looked as a synonym to average. Your “normal” is different from mine. Declaring a new average seems a little far fetched. I’ve always preferred to look at “new normal” as just current normal and even that should take time to become…and that’s probably not normal. Don’t ask me what I just said, I have no clue. Maybe it’s just confirming and agreeing with you that it’s all a myth.
😂😂 I love the validation Ken. Thanks!
I agree, Dee, there was nothing merely ordinary about that awesome bunch of air balloons. I realized both then and now that I could never have that pleasure. But then I will never have the pleasure of winning a lottery either, but it doesn't stop me from imagining that I will. (sigh)
This was a great post, Dee! Thank you for the memories.
Thanks CJ. I’m glad you enjoyed it, I appreciate you reading 👊
You’re welcome, Dee