Extraordinary

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I just finished reading a book from a friend of mine.  Now, I’m typically not the kind of person to talk about some wonderful book that turned my world upside down and changed me forever, because I don’t really think that one book has that much power (besides the bible, but that’s a different story.)  To be honest with you, I can’t remember what all of the chapters in this book were about.  What I do know is that it got me thinking about life.  Not in a deep, philosophical way, but in a real, practical way.  It got me thinking about what kind of life I want to live, where I want to go, and the impact I want to make.

I hate the word “average”.  What a boring word.  Who on earth wakes up in the morning thinking “I hope I have an average day today” or “I really hope someone tells me I’m average”.  Exactly- no one.  Correct me if I’m wrong.  I don’t think anyone plans on being average, and if they do, it’s because no one has told them extraordinary is an option. 

When word got out that I was going to come to Africa for six months, the range of reactions I got was priceless.  Some people were excited, some were confused, some were sad, some were skeptical, some thought it would be a waste of time, and then there were a handful who worried me by how hard their bottom jaws hit the floor when they heard the news.  For as much as we talk about dreaming big, being successful, and setting new standards in life, I have learned that most people think inside the box when it comes to living life.  Things like putting school on hold to live in a foreign country just don’t fit into the plan.  We talk about being extraordinary, but as a society we put restrictions on people without even realizing it.  For example- dream big, but make sure that college is part of that dream.  Be successful, but remember that success is a four-bedroom house, a down payment on an SUV, and a 9 to 5 job.  Set a high standard, but don’t challenge anyone’s opinion and remember to always follow the rules.  Just to be clear, I’m not saying that any of these are bad things.  I am in the middle of college, will have a house and a job, and know that rules are a good thing.  What I am saying is this- there is no perfect formula for life.  Some of the most inspiring, successful people I know got where they are today because they chose to bust out of the “average” box and do their own thing.  They chose to throw the formula that society has created out the window, put the pedal to the metal, and get on to where they knew God was calling them to.

All this to say- I refuse to be average.  In ten, twenty, thirty years, I want to look back and see that I did things.  I want to know that I did love, did faith, and did live to the best of my ability.  Join me?

 

P.S. The book I read is called Love Does by Bob Goff.  Check it out!  You won’t be sorry.