Mediocrity
A ramble...20 total reviews
Comment from catch22
This is a very well timed and relevant piece in my own life. I've often thought about how my priorities have changed and I don't see many issues as black and white anymore. There are still some nonnegotiables, but not as many as when I was very young. I think its a mindset. My parents don't have any nonnegotiables--everything's a grey area for them....
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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This is a very well timed and relevant piece in my own life. I've often thought about how my priorities have changed and I don't see many issues as black and white anymore. There are still some nonnegotiables, but not as many as when I was very young. I think its a mindset. My parents don't have any nonnegotiables--everything's a grey area for them....
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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Sometimes its a better place to be. Thanks for reading.
Comment from jjstar
I think there is a lot to be said about mediocrity. I'm not sure I'm okay with it yet because professionally I've missed out on a lot which could have boosted my career. Otherwise, I'm okay with it, I guess. One of the best things I ever heard was on a talk show, Oprah, I think. The topic being discussed was can a woman have it all? Her answer was yes, we certainly can have it all, just not at the same time. I stayed home to raise my children, make sure they weren't latchkey kids, in trouble in the streets, etc. I'm grateful I had that time with them because now they are pretty awesome kids and I consider I was the best mom I could be. Many call me overprotective..but..still the best. Not mediocre by any means. I don't see them as often as I like (they're all grown up..hahaha). Now I am concentrating on career, and am blocked because of my age and degrees. So..
I am stuck in mediocrity because of the economics..not real happy about that. Still trying to shine brightly and be outstanding...
Lastly, at our ages..far better than either alternative..I certainly wouldn't want to go back to teens, twenties or thirties...am not looking forward to 50s, 60s, 70s. To much wear and tear on the body...
Anyway, enough of the novel...I think as long as we do our best, we can consider ourselves over average...:)
Great, thought provoking piece. Loved it!
quite frankly, in my grandson's case, being average beats the well veiled remarks of last year's comments that indicated he was a holy terror.
===lots to be thankful for there!
middle-age is better than the alternative. ===you got that right, sister!
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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I think there is a lot to be said about mediocrity. I'm not sure I'm okay with it yet because professionally I've missed out on a lot which could have boosted my career. Otherwise, I'm okay with it, I guess. One of the best things I ever heard was on a talk show, Oprah, I think. The topic being discussed was can a woman have it all? Her answer was yes, we certainly can have it all, just not at the same time. I stayed home to raise my children, make sure they weren't latchkey kids, in trouble in the streets, etc. I'm grateful I had that time with them because now they are pretty awesome kids and I consider I was the best mom I could be. Many call me overprotective..but..still the best. Not mediocre by any means. I don't see them as often as I like (they're all grown up..hahaha). Now I am concentrating on career, and am blocked because of my age and degrees. So..
I am stuck in mediocrity because of the economics..not real happy about that. Still trying to shine brightly and be outstanding...
Lastly, at our ages..far better than either alternative..I certainly wouldn't want to go back to teens, twenties or thirties...am not looking forward to 50s, 60s, 70s. To much wear and tear on the body...
Anyway, enough of the novel...I think as long as we do our best, we can consider ourselves over average...:)
Great, thought provoking piece. Loved it!
quite frankly, in my grandson's case, being average beats the well veiled remarks of last year's comments that indicated he was a holy terror.
===lots to be thankful for there!
middle-age is better than the alternative. ===you got that right, sister!
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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If you are in your forties, and concentrating on your career, you've chosen the best time to focus on that area. You have the maturity and grace and hopefully care more about your convictions than other women's comparison or criticism of your dress size.
I wrote a 9 pt series all true about, about what it was like as a woman to strive in a man's world in business. Check it out called "Journey to Retirement."
Comment from Chrisfiore
Hi SE,
I don't know why we have accepted being sub-par as a society. Underachieving seems to be the acceptable "norm". Too bad.
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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Hi SE,
I don't know why we have accepted being sub-par as a society. Underachieving seems to be the acceptable "norm". Too bad.
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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You are too kind, and probabl too humble. I am sure you are outstanding.
Comment from mtnspirit
Hi Spiritual Echo,
I've never thought of you as being middle of the road when it comes to writing. Your writing is excellent and you create some extradinary peices filled with thought provoking ideas. I suppose our mind sets change when it comes to growing older, but like you when it comes to discounts I too, grasp that senior status. Good write and thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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Hi Spiritual Echo,
I've never thought of you as being middle of the road when it comes to writing. Your writing is excellent and you create some extradinary peices filled with thought provoking ideas. I suppose our mind sets change when it comes to growing older, but like you when it comes to discounts I too, grasp that senior status. Good write and thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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Well thank you for the elevation above average, both in words and your continued support.
Comment from ajdevore
I said kinda the same thing in my poem "Just Another Wannabe" It's the pits isn't it? A fate we share with 99.9% of the human race. Your essay makes me feel comforted.
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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I said kinda the same thing in my poem "Just Another Wannabe" It's the pits isn't it? A fate we share with 99.9% of the human race. Your essay makes me feel comforted.
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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Well the feeling happens to us all. Thanks.
Comment from forestport12
Been spending a lifetime trying not to be average. I don't want to be the average fish, I want to be the Salmon, swimming upstream dying to make love. I don't like average, but it beats being unknown and unloved. For every average Joe there is an average Jane, meant for each other, meant to live a mostly forgetable life, but together. I like this piece and how you explore our changing mind-set, sometimes age forces us to settle for a lower bar to happiness or instead of growing old gracefully we end up being the house that gets egged on Haloween. This piece, just made me think about our place in this world and how we define our existence. Sorry for the rambling, but it felt good and this story held me there.
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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Been spending a lifetime trying not to be average. I don't want to be the average fish, I want to be the Salmon, swimming upstream dying to make love. I don't like average, but it beats being unknown and unloved. For every average Joe there is an average Jane, meant for each other, meant to live a mostly forgetable life, but together. I like this piece and how you explore our changing mind-set, sometimes age forces us to settle for a lower bar to happiness or instead of growing old gracefully we end up being the house that gets egged on Haloween. This piece, just made me think about our place in this world and how we define our existence. Sorry for the rambling, but it felt good and this story held me there.
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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It reflects the place I am in less than two paychecks...on my own to make the rest of my life into something that has meaning from here on in.
I was told I was nothing, and I spent forty years annoying my mother because I proved her wrong.
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I've spent so much time reading your non-fiction and the fiction that reflected pieces of your real life, that it forms reel in my head spliced together of this movie of you growing up and, if I think on it too much, it puts a tear in my eye.
Comment from Sasha
I've always been comforted by being mediocre. Being the smartest causes you to constantly feel the need to excel. Being at the bottom, you lose incentive to even try. Let's here it for the ones that hold both halves together! I enjoyed this very much. You always write the most interesting essays.
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reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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I've always been comforted by being mediocre. Being the smartest causes you to constantly feel the need to excel. Being at the bottom, you lose incentive to even try. Let's here it for the ones that hold both halves together! I enjoyed this very much. You always write the most interesting essays.
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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We all hide our best, to avoid pressure, but its still there.
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Yes, it is.
Comment from N.K. Wagner
I grew up being taught that being "only average" was to be a failure. To be average is to be invisible. To be invisible is to be worthless...and expendable. It's not a good feeling. :] Nancy
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reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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I grew up being taught that being "only average" was to be a failure. To be average is to be invisible. To be invisible is to be worthless...and expendable. It's not a good feeling. :] Nancy
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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No, it's not. We all look for things inside ourselves that determine our self worth, not a textbook or a monitor.
Comment from jlsavell
Spiritual Echo, everytime I read a work of yours, I know why I am such a fan. You are far from average mky dear in brains and in writing. You write with such clarity of mind and on such a level that all can relate. Excellent sensibilities.. ummm does that come with age?? In my case, I think so.. lol.. well done friend.. loved it... jimi
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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Spiritual Echo, everytime I read a work of yours, I know why I am such a fan. You are far from average mky dear in brains and in writing. You write with such clarity of mind and on such a level that all can relate. Excellent sensibilities.. ummm does that come with age?? In my case, I think so.. lol.. well done friend.. loved it... jimi
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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Thanks Jimi. I'm two pay checks away from having to live off my own means and I'm getting a little itchy in my thoughts.
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I understand. I love your tohughts and I can relate.. we would have great conversations while sipping tea..
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or copious quantities of wine...yes, we would.
Comment from Rondeno
I love this! So many of the ideas you play with are thoughts which preoccupy me, too. The central tenet - that bland mediocrity is comfortable - is one of my near-obsessions. You also deal with mass consumerism, and slay it with a few deft sword strokes. The public wants what the public gets. I'll be looking for more intelligent comment from you in the future!
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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I love this! So many of the ideas you play with are thoughts which preoccupy me, too. The central tenet - that bland mediocrity is comfortable - is one of my near-obsessions. You also deal with mass consumerism, and slay it with a few deft sword strokes. The public wants what the public gets. I'll be looking for more intelligent comment from you in the future!
Comment Written 14-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2012
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Look in my portfolio. I do get caught up with commentaries. A little dried out these days after running through my first novel and avoiding editing.