"You Are Ordinary." (…and other lies we tell ourselves)

Every once and a while I read an article or hear breaking news about, "ordinary people doing extraordinary things."   There's always an element of surprise and intrigue involved - "Father saves baby from burning building - tune in at 11 for this tender miracle," or "up next mother rips door off of her sinking car in order to save her child from a certain drowning, and, finally, "Man encounters a Cinnabon in the mall, manages to walk by without buying anything." 

All of these stories have one thing in common - they are about people doing something amazing or even impossible.  And when we read about them we are told by the reporters, their friends and family, and witnesses about how they were, "just ordinary, everyday folk."  Perhaps the father was meek, the mother worked two jobs, and the man ran a small auto shop.  We are supposed to think that these people are "ordinary" and that these "ordinary" people did something amazing. The inference is that we are all, ordinary - you, me, everyone.  But…isn't that the problem …thinking of ourselves as "ordinary"?  Isn't this how we limit the magic we can accomplish each and every day? 

What if, instead of telling ourselves that we are average, ordinary, or every day - we told ourselves that we are each a miracle - special, full of ideas, creativity, and more?  What if we weren't all "ordinary," but acknowledge the fact that we are extraordinary?  What could we accomplish? 

This week, when faced with a new task, a daunting challenge, or something beyond the pale: don't think, "That seems overwhelming," or, "I can't do that."  Instead, think to yourself, "I am extraordinary," "I've got this," and/or, "This might be tough for a mere mortal, but there is nothing "mere" about me!"  At the very least you'll smile (which, in all fairness, is half the battle) and you might - just might - find yourself rising to your new standard.  Give it a shot and let me know how it works for you in the comments.  Make today great!