Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we’re too busy chasing down the extraordinary moments. – Brene Brown
The very word ‘extraordinary’ strikes me as a word that can cause more pain than good because it is rooted in comparison.
If one thing or moment is extraordinary that makes everything else ‘ordinary’ – and somehow ‘less than’ or not important or special. Much like the word ‘normal’ — anything that is not the ‘norm’ is considered deficient and wrong, as in ‘abnormal’.
Perhaps we would experience joy more often if, instead of constantly comparing and searching for something more, we allow ourselves to experience objects, events, and others in the glory of uniqueness
Janet Mary Cobb 
Great point, Janet. Until very recently, I was interested only in the extraordinary, the excellent, the exceptional – alway something more and always what I wanted to be. Now, the ordinary, the simple joys call to me.
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I’ve been focusing on finding the beauty in bike rides through surrounding neighborhoods rather than always need to bike along the beautiful Lake Michigan — for that very reason. Glad you are also finding joy in the simple.
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ordinary is good , normal is fine , not much going on is even better – I dont chase joy or extraordinary anymore – being more tuned into the world more present has joy seeking me –
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Lovely attitude. So freeing, isn’t it?
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This reminds me of the quote “Unless it’s mad, passionate, extraordinary love, it’s a waste of your time. There are too many mediocre things in life. Love shouldn’t be one of them.” which I HATE with a passion because it belittles strong, committed, deep, long-lasting love and discards it for a wild fling. We need to stop comparing everything and just appreciate what we have right now – that’s joy! And so are those lovely flowers springing up amongst the rocks 🙂
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I would have to agree with you Leanne – I don’t particularly care for the quote you shared. Seems like treating love as an extreme sport. The flowers are California poppies – the state flower – that pop up along roadsides and hills in the area i grew up. Always loved them but don’t see them much in Chicago.
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