I enjoyed this read and normalizing “average” is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I spent some time in a Buddhist monastery recently and something that one of our teaching monks emphasized was that considering ourselves to be more (or less) than average took us further away from enlightenment, mostly because it activated our attachment to prestige. It really made me think about all the times I’ve used it with the best of intentions (“oh, I’m really good at this, I’m proud of myself”) and how that’s such a flimsy sense of self-compassion.
This makes so much sense. We are addicted to the perception of prestige, status, greatness, exceptionalism, etc., to the point where regularity has become a marker for insignificance.
Thank you! I hadn’t thought of it as controversy, but I’m also learning that my brain does not work like the average brain so I guess I’m not surprised. I’m glad the parentheses were placed properly. 😂
I think average gets a bad rap. There is a real push for kids and adults do be gifted, exceptional, unique in measurable ways, which usually maps onto achieving “great things” - but like you say, who is the judge of success? Of what is great and what is not? We def need to reclaim ordinary. I think the comparison and push to be extraordinary is so harmful!
I really enjoyed, and needed, this today. Thank you so much for your incredible reflections. The parenting pieces particularly struck but I love the extraordinariness of the everyday and of our humanity. I believe this, and continue to do my own de conditioning work for myself, but these beliefs run deep! It is a constant process. Thank you
Brilliant and exactly what I needed to hear right now as I’m pushing through thoughts of not doing enough. Thank you for this message.
You're so welcome! I'm so glad it spoke to you!
I enjoyed this read and normalizing “average” is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I spent some time in a Buddhist monastery recently and something that one of our teaching monks emphasized was that considering ourselves to be more (or less) than average took us further away from enlightenment, mostly because it activated our attachment to prestige. It really made me think about all the times I’ve used it with the best of intentions (“oh, I’m really good at this, I’m proud of myself”) and how that’s such a flimsy sense of self-compassion.
This makes so much sense. We are addicted to the perception of prestige, status, greatness, exceptionalism, etc., to the point where regularity has become a marker for insignificance.
This was NICE!
I was thrown off by the start of the piece but you're parentheses was perfectly placed.
This way of seeing ourselves and averageness is going to be controversial for some, but it blew me away 👏🏽
Thank you! I hadn’t thought of it as controversy, but I’m also learning that my brain does not work like the average brain so I guess I’m not surprised. I’m glad the parentheses were placed properly. 😂
Controversial in the best way!
😊
I think average gets a bad rap. There is a real push for kids and adults do be gifted, exceptional, unique in measurable ways, which usually maps onto achieving “great things” - but like you say, who is the judge of success? Of what is great and what is not? We def need to reclaim ordinary. I think the comparison and push to be extraordinary is so harmful!
Yes yes yes! The reclamation of ordinary has been heavy on my spirit lately.
I really enjoyed, and needed, this today. Thank you so much for your incredible reflections. The parenting pieces particularly struck but I love the extraordinariness of the everyday and of our humanity. I believe this, and continue to do my own de conditioning work for myself, but these beliefs run deep! It is a constant process. Thank you
Thank you so much! I’m so glad this piece spoke to you in the way you needed it to!