Anything but Ordinary

 “If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” -Jim Rohn

This quote got me thinking. Really, what is “unusual”? Does it have to mean something crazy or bizarre? Or could it simply mean doing what is not “my usual”. It would be like going to a coffee shop and instead of ordering “my usual” (a large cafe latte, hot, no syrups, but yes please to whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon), I order an iced caramel mocha. 

But is doing the ordinary wrong? Is ordering my “usual” coffee “settling for the ordinary”? Why do we look at  “settling” as though it is something that is less than desirable?  

When I first started running, it was an unexpected thing for me to do. I certainly didn’t expect it of myself (ever!) and suddenly there I was, learning how to run, signing up for races, and spending time throughout my week getting in training runs.  It became my usual, but it’s never gotten old. I still get nervous before every race. I was willing to risk the unusual which has became my usual, but is anything but ordinary. 

 

I had never truly hiked until 2020 and spending hours walking through the woods, and planning backpacking trips had never been high on my list of things to do. Now, it’s my usual and some of my favorite trails are ones I’ve been on many times (the usual); instead of the unknown that they once were, they are now old friends. I was willing to risk the unusual which has became my usual, but is anything but ordinary. 

Wanting to learn to lift weights was for sure not on my bucket list, and it all felt unusual when I started. Now, 19 months later I can honestly say that it has become my usual. Deadlifts, bench press, and squats are part of my life, week after week and I am never bored. I just hit Training no. 300 this week!! I was willing to risk the unusual which has became my usual, but is anything but ordinary. 

Each day is filled with the things that happen day after day: sunrise, sunset, seeing friends, going to work, cooking meals, going to the gym. What if we let the ordinary exceed our expectations? Maybe the real gift is being able to look at the ordinary with eyes of wonder, excitement and joy. 

I used to say “never” to a lot of things.  Now i say “maybe” and sometimes that becomes a “yes” and suddenly what was the unusual becomes my usual, but is anything but ordinary. 

Here’s my challenge to you: Begin to view your “usual” through eyes of gratitude.  Trust me when I tell you that it will make your usual anything but ordinary.

Love, Dianne

Onward.