Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Think about a typical, let’s call it “ordinary” day. You get up, make the coffee, shower, eat breakfast, go to work, return home, make dinner, do some laundry, watch tv, and go to bed.
Just another ordinary day, right?
Think again. There’s something extraordinary right in front of you, you just need to know how to find it.
Merriam-Webster defines ordinary in this way:
On the other hand, they define extraordinary like this:
I think the folks at Merriam-Webster should add a footnote with both these definitions that says it’s possible to experience the extraordinary in the ordinary. It’s just a matter of awareness, perception and gratitude.
Let’s take a look at the “ordinary” day I described earlier. How might we uncover the extraordinary there?
Have another cup of joe: Did you know that coffee beans are actually a fruit called a coffee cherry harvested from coffee trees? The process from planting the seed, to harvesting (often hand-picked) the cherries three to five years later is only the beginning. A very detailed process then takes place over the next several months that includes processing, drying, milling and exporting the green beans to a roaster. The beans are finally packaged and available for sale in your local store or coffee house. So, as you sip on your delicious coffee each morning, consider the extraordinary efforts that took place to create it. Enjoy!
Rub-a-dub-dub: Did you know that 85% of the world population lives in the driest half of the planet? 783 million people do not have access to clean water and almost 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. As you turn on the warm water each morning and lather up with a wonderful scented soap, give thanks for the extraordinary gift that your bathing experience is.
Take the “scenic” route: Most of us spend a good deal of time in our cars, but this works for those of us on a bus or a bike too. Take a look around. Note the beautiful leaf color on the trees, the interesting architecture of a house or building, and the way the clouds billow high up in the sky. These things we pass by each day, sometimes without a thought–when seen through a lens of awareness, their extraordinary qualities are revealed.
Just another day at the office: I use lots of technology throughout my day at work–how is it that I become impatient when the internet (the world at my fingertips!) goes down for 5 minutes? Remember the day when we had to go to the library and utilize the Dewey Decimal system to look something up? That wasn’t that long ago! We are in an age in which we are witnessing never before seen technological advances. These tools we utilize every day, at times taken for granted, are extraordinary.
You get the point. It’s up to each of us to find the extraordinary in these “ordinary” experiences. I would argue that we can find the extraordinary in almost anything.
Have an extraordinary day!
I’d love to hear from you. Look around right now, using your new eyes of awareness, what is the first extraordinary thing you notice? Please leave your comments below.
Jill xx
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such a GREAT reminder!!! Thanks for challenging me to start my day with my “real” eyes open!
Thanks Hope! Enjoy the scenery.
YOU are extraordinary! 🙂
Thank you Jill! You are an extraordinary person! May God bless you always.
Thank you, Angel! Appreciate you reading the blog.
Thank you Jill…. It’s so easy to take so much for granted…. God is in the details.. it seems like I rush around and forget that I need to be breathing out thankfulness instead of breathing in fretfulness …. the difference in the two can change the heart greatly.
So true, Tracy! Practicing gratitude transforms. I appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts!
Thank you for sharing! I appreciate your writing…keep it up!
Blessings!
Thank you Tracy!
You! You Jill, are an extraordinary bright spot in my work day. Thank you for your friendship and consistent care.