on the enneagram i am a 4 (four), which means among other things that i am wired to seek out the special, the drama, and the energy in life. when i sense energy, i am THERE. and for this budding artist, it gives me insight and vision into was is and what can be. put a bit more chili powder, some garlic, and a dash of wasabi into a situation, and life is spicy, and creative, and fun.
these traits, although they serve me well in some situations, also can get in my way sometimes. for instance, by looking for the special things in life, i sometimes miss the ordinary, the routine of what life can offer. get bored easily, i tend to overlook the beauty of the ordinary.
as life has slowed down for me, i have had the opportunity to appreciate and value the ordinary. seeing the birds feeding in our backyard can entertain me for awhile. reading history and current events with an eye to ordinary that have been overshadowed by the famous and he sensational have become more interesting to discover.
at the risk of sounding trite, i am learning that the ordinary is, in fact, special. my father always made it a point to greet and converse with 'ordinary' people: the cashier, the service station attendant, the server in a restaurant. i was fascinated how people who seem so lifeless and bland came alive with a kind word, a human word.
as i reflect on the gift my father gave me, i realize anew that value of the ordinary. that is because by entering into the ordinary, i find more authentic specialness. curiously enough, i become more aware of the ordinary in me as being special.
lunch with a good friend today wasn't exciting or thrilling. but it was a couple of hours filled with mutual sharing and insights that were very satisfying. those moments became special just for what they were. no more; no less.
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