Remarkably Unremarkable
Do you desire to be remarkable? To be noticed? To be the kind of person who commands awe and respect and inspires others to aspire to be more than thy would otherwise be?
What does it mean to be remarkable? The online dictionary defines remarkable as “worthy of being or likely to be noticed especially as being uncommon or extraordinary.”
I would like to be remarkable. I think I always have.
When I was little, all of my heros were remarkable, obviously, because they were on TV. Never mind that most of my heroes were fictional. Never mind that even for those who weren’t fictional the exploits protrayed were. Never mind that the exploits attritbuted to a single remarkable individual were most frequently the result of the work of many, many unremarkable individuals united in a shared cause.
But ultimately, of course, they were fictional.
As I’ve grown older I’ve become more interested in stories of real individuals who were remarkable. Some have been Horatio Alger stories of poverty and perseverence, while others have been individuals who made their privilege count for something beyond themselves. Whether facing down uncharacteristically long odds or simply delivering successfully on promises made early in life, learning about truly remarkable individuals makes me yearn to live remarkably as well.
But I don’t feel remarkable at all.
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In fact, I have to admit I feel remarkably unremarkable.
And yet I continue to make efforts.
I encourage others, not because I want to be recognized necessarily, but because I always appreciate it when people have encouraged me.
I use my talents in performing, not because I am anticipating beiing nominated for awards, but because I know how much the stories I have heard and experienced have influenced me for the good.
I find little ways to be of service, not because I necessarily expect my little service will make a significant impact, but because I believe any service at the right time, combined with the service of others, can have a signiicant impact.
Perhaps, like the song says, to the world I may just be one person, but to one person I may be the world.
And maybe that’s enough.
Nullum Diem
