“The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening.” Oswald Chambers
The above quote by Oswald Chambers is one of my favorites. Not only does it use the words extraordinary and ordinary which are part of my tagline here at It’s Just Life – Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary but it also embraces a concept that I truly believe is worth living.
Life can get complicated and messy and it is during those times that we often see the true character of a person. How they respond to a difficult situation is often very telling and indicates just what type of person they are.
But consider how that same person reacts to basic day to day life. Are they consistent? Do they live their day to day life with a sense of purpose and fulfillment? Do they react and respond to others who cross their paths in a civil and decent manner? Do they live their ordinary days to the fullest?
I shared with my readers that my goals in 2019 are to forgive, release and have more hope. I was reminded last night as I had dinner with a friend that these will be goals that I need to practice in my day to day life and keep in front of me. She told me that she was going to ask me occasionally how it was going so I guess I had better get cracking on working on those.
The conversation made me reflect on how I live my day to day life.
Do I act in a manner that is extraordinary? Do I embrace the little things that happen each day as ordinary or am I am able to see beyond the ordinary and realize that each interaction that I have with another human being is an opportunity to move beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary?
While I don’t have an actual answer it is food for thought.
Every day presents opportunities and possibilities to reach beyond my little ordinary world. In 2019 my goal is to release more of the extraordinary into the world and maybe, just maybe, some of that will turn right back around and come back to me. Even if it doesn’t I am praying that my eyes are opened to share more of the extraordinary in the world than ever before.
My friends – make today extraordinary in whatever way you can because YOU are indeed an extraordinary person and I love you.
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11 Comments
Leave a commentThis is certainly a lovely reminder regarding how we should all be living our lives. Thank you for this and for your kindness and compassion for all. We are in this together, and it is so comforting to be able to lift each other up along the way. Much love to you, my friend!
Renee–thank you so much for the lovely comment. Kindness is so important, isn’t it? If I could give anyone unwanted unsolicited advice it would be to just be kind. You don’t have to be rich or talented in everything – just be kind.
This is one of the reasons I love photography, it lets me share ordinary things that are truly beautiful and amazing.
Yes! Photography is a wonderful way to notice extraordinary things. You are exactly right about that.
I wonderful reminder to love and appreciate each and every day. Thanks for the love you share with all of us on your blog.We love you too!
I finally chose a song for this year – A Million Dreams.
Oh what a perfect song! I am going to go listen to it right now thanks to you. Also thanks for posting that blog on Facebook that I am not going to follow. It may be difficult to read some of the posts but it might also be very helpful so thanks.
I am so glad you have decided to follow Wendy. She keeps it very upbeat. She is now going to do a skydiving fundraiser!! I think her book would be good to read as well.
Yes –I like her already and think it is going to be of great help to me to have another source of information and support. Thanks, Darlene.
Your post reminds me of a quotation I used often when I was doing special programs in public and private schools: “Character is what you are in the dark” by Dwight L. Moody. Both the Oswald Chambers quote and this one are good words to live by. You are a gem, Beth Ann, and I’m so happy to know you.
I too love the quote. It certainly is words for thought, Thanks for sharing.
What a great quote! Perhaps there’s greatness in ALL of us, if we’re brave enough to release it into the world. Sadly, the mundane all too often tends to eclipse the extraordinary. Good reminders, Beth Ann.