‘Look for the Extraordinary in the Ordinary’

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20th March, 2023

Two masons were approached by a reporter who asked the first mason, “What are you doing?”

His response was to complain that he was virtually a slave, an underpaid bricklayer who spent his days wasting his time, placing bricks on top of one another.

The reporter asked the second mason the same question.

His response, however, was quite different. “I’m the luckiest person in the world,” he said. “I get to be a part of important and beautiful pieces of architecture. I help turn simple pieces of brick into exquisite masterpieces.”

They were both right.

The truth is, we see in life what we want to see. If you search for ugliness you’ll find plenty of it. If you want to find fault with other people, your career, or the world in general, you’ll certainly be able to do so.

But the opposite is also true. If you look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, you can train yourself to see it.

One bricklayer sees Temples within pieces of brick whereas the other just complains.

The question is, what do you see?

Can you see the extraordinary synchronicity that exists in our world;

the perfection of the universe in action;

the extraordinary beauty of nature;

the incredible miracle of human life?

It’s all a matter of intention. There is so much to be grateful for, so much to be in awe about.

Life is precious and extraordinary.

Put your attention on this fact and little, ordinary things will take on a whole new meaning.

Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary is a way to practice gratitude and be present, but in a less touchy feely way. Almost like a game, Like a treasure hunt,  Like turning lemons into lemonade! 

It means taking what you are experiencing, and finding something awesome about it.

A lot of us may feel like we just live ordinary lives. We work hard, maybe live modestly. But the secret is we actually all live very extraordinary lives.

We just have to pay attention and be grateful for what we have in our daily lives, rather than wish for more money or a bigger apartment or a better partner or more successful children.

Look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, be grateful for what you have & stay blessed forever.