Average

A smile swept across my face when my 14-year-old daughter picked a sweatshirt for herself which had one word written on it – “Average”. In a world where we are constantly trying to set ourselves apart and look for “special”, I find it refreshing to see someone being so comfortable with average.

It reminded me of the song “Ordinary Miracle” by Sarah Maclahlan and a poem by William Martin

“Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.”