“If you’re not first, you’re last.”
–Reese Bobby, Talladega Nights
It seems that residents of the middle, or "Average Joes," if you will, are seldom discussed: neither celebrated nor shamed. I’m well acquainted with this notion. Allow me to explain: I’m the middle child of a middle class family, residing comfortably in a middle-class neighborhood in the Midwest. Of my peers, I am not the smartest nor the least intelligent. In my program at university, I am not the most talented musician, but I am not without merit. I fit neither into “normal size” clothing nor can I find jeans that fit perfectly in the “plus size” section. Essentially, I’d consider myself the mayor of “Middle Ground.”
As mayor of “Middle Ground” I’m here to tell you that being categorized as average is one of the best positions to be in. Though it is easy to feel down about this, it is incredibly important to be reminded that you are in no way short of extraordinary. This is a lesson I wish I had learned years earlier but am grateful to know now. In the next 200-some words, I hope to pass the lesson on.
For most of my life, I bought entirely into Reese Bobby’s words, striving desperately to be number one in all aspects of my life. I felt that I was a failure if I wasn't the top achieving member of [insert club/team/group here]. At different points in my life, this dangerous perspective led me either to be ruthlessly competitive or unmotivated, lazy and otherwise checked-out. Neither of these modes (though, in retrospect, were probably related to a fierce mix of depression and anxiety in my late teen years) were healthy at all. It wasn't until very recently that my perspective changed. In fact, over the past year I've grown to love residing in Middle Ground.
I’ve learned that in the middle, there is recognizable room for growth and reason to celebrate. There is an appreciation for the journey, both taken and ahead. In the middle, there is no room for the pompous nor the pessimistic. Residents of the middle can look behind to stay humble and forward to stay motivated. I truly believe that the most successful people are created here, because they value the existence of their fellow middle-people. Most of all, true residents of the middle are least concerned with their label, position or title and most concerned with the content of their character. Because of their position, attitude and humility, combined with a desire to see the success of themselves and others, puts them above average. This is what makes them extraordinary.
