One of my students (California college student preparing to be an elementary teacher) said, "I like to be average. That way I can focus on helping other people." I wrote that down, and I keep thinking about it. Thank you Naomi for speaking this truth!
From early years, kids do like to fit in, they like being ‘the same’ as their friends; they learn by copying and mimicking a lot of stuff. So perhaps, the idea of encouraging them to be ordinary, to enjoy the achievements lots of their peers aspire to, is something to be supported and encouraged.
Your thoughts on this are quite nice. I think, in a way, we are exceptional. We should say "BE YOURSELF" instead of 'be exceptional' because we all are different from each other and by following the "BE YOURSELF" idea, eventually we will be exceptional.
It's exhausting. And look around at the world! All the damage, destruction, wars, exploitation - all of the people doing this are driven by a desire to be exceptional. If the world was run by people who just wanted to chill and have fun then the environment would soon be left to take care of itself. The world would organise to do the work that needed to be done but no more. Society is being driven off a cliff by people who strive for exceptionality; simple laziness would, ultimately, solve pretty much all of our biggest environmental and social problems. None of us should need to earn a living; just live it.
One of my students (California college student preparing to be an elementary teacher) said, "I like to be average. That way I can focus on helping other people." I wrote that down, and I keep thinking about it. Thank you Naomi for speaking this truth!
From early years, kids do like to fit in, they like being ‘the same’ as their friends; they learn by copying and mimicking a lot of stuff. So perhaps, the idea of encouraging them to be ordinary, to enjoy the achievements lots of their peers aspire to, is something to be supported and encouraged.
Your thoughts on this are quite nice. I think, in a way, we are exceptional. We should say "BE YOURSELF" instead of 'be exceptional' because we all are different from each other and by following the "BE YOURSELF" idea, eventually we will be exceptional.
Yes to this. I have even become weary of people with too much determination to be the best.
It's exhausting. And look around at the world! All the damage, destruction, wars, exploitation - all of the people doing this are driven by a desire to be exceptional. If the world was run by people who just wanted to chill and have fun then the environment would soon be left to take care of itself. The world would organise to do the work that needed to be done but no more. Society is being driven off a cliff by people who strive for exceptionality; simple laziness would, ultimately, solve pretty much all of our biggest environmental and social problems. None of us should need to earn a living; just live it.
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Thanks Naomi. Needed to see this today.
Exactly! Well said! 👏✨