“You’ll turn out ordinary if you’re not careful.” – Ann Brashares

When we look around the landscape of our lives at times, so much can seem mundane, routine and downright uninspiring.  To me, it seems like the most wearisome and mind-numbing of all is the predictability of the days and weeks as they pass.  I know exactly what a Monday or a Thursday look like before they even unfold – what the workload at my job will entail, the personal errands and chores that need to be accomplished on certain days, and even the routines that happen over and over again each day (i.e. making breakfast, packing lunch, doing dishes, getting ready for bed, etc.)

Generally, it all unfolds without much fanfare or excitement.  “Ordinary” is the perfect word to describe it.  Nothing special, unique, or even halfway close to breathtaking transpires.

If you’re like me, you can even feel a sense of gloom as the ordinary consistently reveals itself -transpiring through the days and weeks in a way that makes you feel as if your life is slipping away from you.  As it passes by so quickly, you begin to worry that your precious time here will consist of nothing more than working tirelessly at the job, trying to catch up on household chores, and falling asleep the minute you sit down – all so you can simply get up and do the mundane routine over and over again.

In the middle of the hum drum and tedious repetition, you happen to pass a mirror in the house.  As you gaze into it, you see someone pretty ordinary looking back at you 🙂

No George Clooney or Jason Statham look a likes – just someone you vaguely remember, but they look tired, aged, and weathered from life.  Just an ordinary Joe (or Scott in this case).  You begin to think that an ordinary life seems to fit so very well with an ordinary, dull looking sort like yourself 🙂

Have you ever felt this way too?  Can you relate to living out what seems to be a boring, predictable existence?  Have you felt far from special – almost as if you seem to fit the mundane life you wearily trudge through each day?

But here is the truth: You are far from ordinary.  You’re extraordinary!  So extraordinary in fact, you have the power to recreate it within your life – to seek it out, to find it, and to make all that surrounds you amazing, uncommon, and remarkable 🙂

Don’t believe me?  Here are some things to consider:

EXTRAORDINARY can be found within YOU

“You have something special. You have greatness in you.” – Les Brown

Never has there been or will there ever be another YOU.  In all the ages of the Earth passed and of all the ages yet to come, NO ONE will be EXACTLY like you J  Now if that alone isn’t extraordinary, I don’t know what is!

And think of this:  Your Creator sees your uniqueness, in fact; every detail about you (down to the smallest features, attributes, and idiosyncrasies) have an intention behind them – a reason they are part of your makeup.   

Because you are so extraordinary and special, He watches over you continually (Psalm 121), knows the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30), and has kept track of every tear you have ever cried (Psalm 56:8).  Think of how special you must be to be loved so deeply like this!

Do you see how extraordinary you are?  Unless you do my friend, you will never begin to believe an extraordinary life awaits you – a life designed specifically for you!

EXTRAORDINARY can be found within YOUR PASSIONS

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, dormant forces, faculties, and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” – Patanjali

What makes you special, what makes you different from others, are the passions that touch your heart, that light a fire inside, and that stir you to action.  These are unique in everyone and are specifically connected to your purpose and destiny.  If you connect with, cultivate, and put your talents to good use, you will experience the EXTRAORDINARY life God has in store for you.

Whatever moves your emotions, whatever puts a spring in your step or whatever ignites your enthusiasm or brings tears to your eyes – THAT PASSION is connected to why you are here.  It is God-given – a way to set you up for success in the journey He has in mind for you.

Learn to see your passions and talents as keys to your happiness.  How are you incorporating them into the dreams you have for your life?  Are you using them effectively or exploring ways to make them a stronger, more viable part of who you are and your journey here?

EXTRAORDINARY can be found within EFFORT

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little EXTRA.” – Jimmy Johnson

Leaving an ordinary life behind will require a little EXTRA from you.  It may mean putting more focus on YOU in the form of eating better, exercising to stay healthy, and time spent loving yourself more.  Loving ourselves comes in the form of getting the right amount of rest, not being our own worst critic, and taking time out to do things we enjoy.

That little EXTRA may mean developing your talents or working hard at making your passions not just a hobby, but a major focus of your life.  These kinds of things require sacrifice, determination, and resolve.  Many people aren’t willing to do the little EXTRA things needed to become EXTRAORDINARY, so they easily and sometimes unconsciously slip back into the ordinary, comfortable routines of life.

Take time to think about what part of your life needs a little EXTRA effort, work, and willpower to move it in the direction of EXTRAORDINARY.

EXTRAORDINARY can be found in LIVING BEYOND YOURSELF

“Life is not meaningful unless it is serving an end beyond itself; unless it is of value to someone else.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel

An extraordinary life cannot be one that is self-centered or secluded.  It requires us to give ourselves, our time and our talents to the benefit and aid of others.

“Give and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 ESV)

When we give of ourselves, we in turn are blessed beyond measure.  What an EXTRAORDINARY promise from God – who desires that we live a life that makes a difference – that provides value to our spouse, children, family and friends.

What are you creating within your life that is “serving an end beyond itself”?  What legacy are you leaving that touches the lives of those you love?  This is what establishes an EXTRAORDINARY life!

EXTRAORDINARY can be found and created within THE ORDINARY

“The only difference between an extraordinary life and an ordinary one is the extraordinary pleasures you find in ordinary things.” – Veronique Vienne

I don’t know about you, but when I look back on the moments of my life that have special meaning to me, they are far from earth-shaking, awe-inspiring, or monumental.  They are simple, natural, and beautifully ordinary 🙂

As a kid, playing basketball with my dad in the backyard, waking up and hearing my mom busily working in the kitchen downstairs (what a comforting sound!), and staying up late on a Friday night after a long school week.  And who can ever forget that wonderful feeling associated with the first day of summer vacation 🙂

With my own family, eating dinner together, going for ice cream and laughing and talking the entire car ride there and back, reading the Sunday paper together over coffee and donuts, and playing softball together in the backyard.

Maybe it’s holding hands, whispering “I love you”, going for walks or having a picnic together.  Maybe it’s doing something special with one of your children – creating a memory that the both of you will cherish the rest of your lives.

True wisdom can be found in seeing the EXTRAORDINARY within the common, ordinary aspects of life.  When you embrace these kinds of moments as they unfold, you are living an EXTRAORDINARY life my friend 🙂

What can you do tomorrow within the ordinary and mundane to make it just a little more special – a little more EXTRAORDINARY?

I hope tonight you begin to think hard – realizing how an EXTRAORDINARY life is simply yours for the taking.  It starts with seeing yourself differently, going after your passions, and putting in the little EXTRA effort where it is needed.  I hope you give thought to how your life is serving the lives of others – shaping an EXTRAORDINARY legacy for you to leave behind you someday.

And most of all, I pray you begin seeing clearly the EXTRAORDINARY moments of life that are hidden within what often seems ordinary.

God bless you all!