My height is average. Well, that might be generous. My height is average if I stand on a phone book. Remember those? Anyway, back to me. My blood pressure is average. If I handed you my resume, you would think what makes her different? I am an average tennis player. I enjoy watching a movie on the couch in my pj's. I grew up with a mom and a dad, a dog, sisters and a brother. We made forts and played with dolls. I had my mouth washed out with soap when I was six for spitting on my sister. My brother broke his leg. You know, average stuff. But am I average? An article in today's NYTimes has me thinking. The op-ed, written by Tom Friedman, discusses our country's dilemma with regards to education and jobs. In our computer run world, labor jobs are fast becoming obsolete. Our country is getting dumber while our jobs are getting smarter. While I agree with Mr. Friedman, his message struck a slightly different cord in my own life.
Where I grew up, average is a four letter word. I graduated from a prestigious high school. A diploma on my wall proves that I attended a liberal arts college. My life is blessed with opportunity. As I continue to evaluate my passions and interests, strengths and skills, doing something with indifference seems like a failure to me. To have a career where I go through the motions each day just to make a pay check seems sad (insert shrugging shoulders here). Average is a frame of mind. Average to some is extraordinary to others. Making the muffler for your next car in an assembly line might make someone excited every day that they walk into work. To someone else, teaching is the frosting on their donut. Average is a choice. Each day is an opportunity to live my life. I have the power to have a mediocre interview or an exceptional interview. I know, you're thinking, get off your high horse...you were whining five minutes ago about the rain. You are absolutely right. However, as long as with the whine comes more appreciation for the opportunity, than the odds are in my favor. Tomorrow morning, I get to wake up, sit with my latte and read the paper. There is nothing average about that.
