I think you're right about mediocrity, and I think about this too a lot. There's a huge surge of pressure in Western culture that we should all be aiming to be the best. We celebrate leaders in their field, interview pioneers or high-achievers, cheer on elite sports professionals. And we are each encouraged to try and reach the top of our own personal pyramid.
What isn't shown, is the sacrifice, and what things these cultural heroes have had to give up. Often, that kind of success means having to be away from home and family, or not having family at all. Of not having time to have anything else in your life - that makes you a rounded person - the simple pleasures you were describing.
I go out into nature and I look at a sparrow, or a sapling, or a dandelion, and I think, "this organism is just being itself. It isn't comparing itself to others. It isn't perfect. It just lives, and that's good enough. It's good enough for every blade of grass, the world over."
This is capitalism! No one is making any money when we choose to rest, do less, and care for ourselves in meaningful ways. This fact speaks volumes. Thanks for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful message, Matthew x
Love this post Jodi! We are straying with friends at BOF and after the kids were in bed we all enjoyed dreaming up "character trait" lists of ourselves and each other around the fire with a cuppa 🌻
The parking preference - it’s a thing isn’t it? Although I think mine is more a ‘which way should we go’ when we’re driving 😆 and if it’s not the way I would go it’s wrong (even though like you I might not voice it until after!). X
Damn. I’ve been quite happy knowing very little about the trial but that book will be hard to resist. Did you read Sarah Krasnostein s recent piece on brass bands , was a delight to read over and over.
Beautiful; simple and beautiful. I especially loved the piece about your dog, which caused me to reflect on my own frustrations with our furry family member. She rips zucchini plants from the garden and whines when she’s hungry. Who can blame her? After all, I prune and harvest the garden regularly and also get hangry if I must wait too long for dinner to finish cooking. Such a good reminder to embrace normal life and the beauty of it all.
I have this thought often – are we all boring? And maybe we are, and that's beautiful and perfect. And if we're not, perhaps we're just pretending.
It explains my pull towards the chunky family, generational sagas: The Bee Sting, etc. They're 'ordinary' in the way that we all are – weaving our way through this world, attempting to find meaning, responding in deeply personal ways. We're so bizarre even on the dullest day.
There's definitely an element of promoting 'sameness' via socials and that's so sad. I'm here for the boring, odd, quirky and mediocre...there's a lot to be said for being who you are and sharing it with the world x
That is one of the reasons Murakami is my favourite author - I love to read about characters unpacking their gym bag, taking a shower and preparing a simple meal with a beer. He writes the mediocre everyday so well.
I think you're right about mediocrity, and I think about this too a lot. There's a huge surge of pressure in Western culture that we should all be aiming to be the best. We celebrate leaders in their field, interview pioneers or high-achievers, cheer on elite sports professionals. And we are each encouraged to try and reach the top of our own personal pyramid.
What isn't shown, is the sacrifice, and what things these cultural heroes have had to give up. Often, that kind of success means having to be away from home and family, or not having family at all. Of not having time to have anything else in your life - that makes you a rounded person - the simple pleasures you were describing.
I go out into nature and I look at a sparrow, or a sapling, or a dandelion, and I think, "this organism is just being itself. It isn't comparing itself to others. It isn't perfect. It just lives, and that's good enough. It's good enough for every blade of grass, the world over."
This is capitalism! No one is making any money when we choose to rest, do less, and care for ourselves in meaningful ways. This fact speaks volumes. Thanks for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful message, Matthew x
I love this post so much, Jodie, and I also really relate to your thoughts, Matthew. Thank you both for articulating them.
May I recommend a book (fiction!) that speaks to this theme so well: A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers and its sequel.
This made me think of A Man Called Ove, and all his quirks. I enjoyed his disdain for people who drove any car other than a Saab 😆
Yes! Ha! No wonder it was a bestseller x
Thx so much for the shout out on my ChatGPT piece :)
My pleasure! Essential reading, in my opinion. Thanks for your insight x
Dear Jodie what a thoughtful post and oh so true. Take the good with the bad in life and allow ourselves to be ourselves. With kind wishes Penelope
Love this post Jodi! We are straying with friends at BOF and after the kids were in bed we all enjoyed dreaming up "character trait" lists of ourselves and each other around the fire with a cuppa 🌻
Oh I love this! It's definitely one way to celebrate yourself, isn't it x
Thanks for the reminder to celebrate (or smile for) the simple things we do or see and enjoy :)
The parking preference - it’s a thing isn’t it? Although I think mine is more a ‘which way should we go’ when we’re driving 😆 and if it’s not the way I would go it’s wrong (even though like you I might not voice it until after!). X
Loving that you have a strong parking preference
Damn. I’ve been quite happy knowing very little about the trial but that book will be hard to resist. Did you read Sarah Krasnostein s recent piece on brass bands , was a delight to read over and over.
I did not read that piece so off to search for it now. Thank you x
Beautiful; simple and beautiful. I especially loved the piece about your dog, which caused me to reflect on my own frustrations with our furry family member. She rips zucchini plants from the garden and whines when she’s hungry. Who can blame her? After all, I prune and harvest the garden regularly and also get hangry if I must wait too long for dinner to finish cooking. Such a good reminder to embrace normal life and the beauty of it all.
Thank you, Grace x
I have this thought often – are we all boring? And maybe we are, and that's beautiful and perfect. And if we're not, perhaps we're just pretending.
It explains my pull towards the chunky family, generational sagas: The Bee Sting, etc. They're 'ordinary' in the way that we all are – weaving our way through this world, attempting to find meaning, responding in deeply personal ways. We're so bizarre even on the dullest day.
There's definitely an element of promoting 'sameness' via socials and that's so sad. I'm here for the boring, odd, quirky and mediocre...there's a lot to be said for being who you are and sharing it with the world x
So many of the traits you listed are mine as well! :)
That is one of the reasons Murakami is my favourite author - I love to read about characters unpacking their gym bag, taking a shower and preparing a simple meal with a beer. He writes the mediocre everyday so well.