In Praise of Mediocrity

In Praise of Mediocrity

It slowly dawned on me sometime between my 30th and 40th birthdays. You know, the realization that even though you’ve always believed yourself to be something special, better than “average,” whatever that means… In reality, you are just that, average, mediocre, middling, You’re pretty good at some things that you’re interested in, but not so great with most everything else. And you never will be, even with dedication and perseverance. At most endeavors, you pretty much suck, just like most of the rest of us. Even so, most of us are able to “get by.”

When the realization first strikes, you’re devastated, in denial, depressed; the whole macho self-image collapses. But once you get past the initial shock, things begin to mellow out. No more rationalizing your near misses and downright failures. You quit blaming everyone and everything else for your lack of splendor. That takes most of the pressure off. You can start living with more realistic expectations, like that you’re probably not going to be a great rock/movie/journalist star, or become one of the influential elite in any category; learn to be satisfied with what you have, friends and family.

It’s actually liberating, in that it allows you to relax and just live your life the best you can, without apology or regret. You take your life in stride, accept your limitations, and do your best to enjoy the show. And you might as well enjoy it, it beats the misery of whining and crying about it. You create your own heaven or hell, depending on whether you enjoy the show, or beg for the mercy of oblivion. I’ve tried both, and enjoying the show works much better, at least for me.

And, yes you can make a conscious decision to enjoy it or not. Sometimes it takes some mental discipline, meditation, joking about it, or just taking a long walk, but you can make the conscious choice whether to enjoy it or hide in fear of it. It’s up to you. Ah, for a life of mediocrity…

–CN

 

St. Louis trip...

Was recently in St. Louis. It so happened that I was there during the Taste of St. Louis weekend, where local food vendors of all stripes displayed their wares for sampling. Some of the streets were closed off and the vendors hocked their wares in rows of tents. There were also artisan tents, but not as many as in an “art fair.” There was also a large stage and musical entertainment, music typical of St. Louis. I took the opportunity to photograph some of the public space in mid town(?... I guess...). And as you'll see, not too far from the Gateway Arch. Had a good time with my son and his girlfriend, who live in the area.

Gateway Arch from Taste of St. Louis

Taste of St. Louis vendors and taste-ees...

Performance Stage

Public walking space

Public walking space

Public space...

Midtown public space

Midtown public space

Inner City Blues Band - 1860 Saloon, St. Louis

Now for some politics...

Love what's going on with the demonstrations on Wall Street and around the country. It's about time people quit putting up with the absolute greed that's running this country into the ground. Since politicians are auctioned to the highest bidders, it's time for us, the disenfranchised, to take matters into our own hands. And we're not alone, look at Europe. If Europe collapses, can we be far behind. We started this mess after all, which led to the '08 collapse of our economy, which rippled throughout the world economies. Perhaps the time for the Jacque Fresco and Zeitgeist movement's ideas of a resource based economy has finally arrived. I certainly hope so. Check out the Venus Project (link in my list of links).

And to all those out there who think “Austerity” is the answer to our problems, austerity is one of the ultimate punishments to all those who depend on life saving government services, regulation, and infrastructure maintenance.

All in all, punishment hardens and renders people more insensible; it concentrates; it increases the feeling of estrangement; it strengthens the power of resistance.                   --Friedrich Nietzsche

And I think the demonstrations around the world are proof of that. I'm wondering just how far this will go? Has the revolution finally begun? I guess only time will tell. But I must also echo Nietzsche again,

All things are subject to interpretation; whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.--Friedrich Nietzsche

Believe me! The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously!--Friedrich Nietzsche 

New friends ...

Kane, Dan, and Ross

We made new friends recently. On a trip to the grocery store, we met three young gentlemen who had just ridden in on loaded down touring bicycles, in the process of riding from Portland OR to New York, NY. They had already ridden more than four thousand miles. Happily, they accepted our invitation to sleep, shower, and breakfast at our house. We had an enjoyable evening and breakfast with them before they continued their journey the next morning.

Ross, Dan, and Kane lounging after breakfast

You can follow their account (that is Ross's account, their blogging spokesman) of their travels at: http://www.thisisvicariousness.blogspot.com/

Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water. --W.C. Fields

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example. --Mark Twain

All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind. --Aristotle