Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Today was a good work day - satisfying. The great mood I built up during the weekend with Bob hasn't worn off yet. I even did some extra walking during the heat of a hot day and didn't mind at all. I've been searching quote sites, finding some treasures. This one fits my mood this evening.

And while it takes courage to achieve greatness, it takes more courage to find fulfillment in being ordinary. For the joys that last have little relationship to achievement, to standing one step higher on the victory platform. What is the adventure in being ordinary? It is daring to love just for the pleasure of giving it away. It is venturing to give new life and to nurture it to maturity. It is working hard for the pure joy of being tired at the end of the day. It is caring and sharing and giving and loving…
Marilyn Thomsen

3 comments:

Mary said...

I do like the quote! There are a lot more people who are 'ordinary' among us than those who will achieve greatness...so good to find fulfillment IN being just what we ARE.

Ann said...

I'm reading the quote with mixed feelings, Victoria. I don't think greatness and appreciating the smallest things in life are mutually exclusive. I think people who appreciate the small stuff are the great ones and the unusual ones. Look at the mobs of people striving to buy more, go more places, move more quickly, make more noise to find joy. I associate ordinary with being less than a person can be, settling too soon.

Victoria said...

Ann, I think the person who wrote the quote means exactly what you mean, that real gratness is in living well ever day. I don't have any troble with seeing myself as living an ordinary life well.