Choose An Ordinary Or An Extraordinary Life?
It's "Bobby Fischer Against the World" vs "Dead Poets Society"
Image by L.E. Wilson from RedBubble based on work by Clker Free from Pixabay
There is a pull one feels toward being better than average, toward standing out, achieving more than the usual, being remembered for having an impact. In other words, somehow as we go through life we get the message that we should be extraordinary, or at least work toward it. In a way this is natural and an organic result of the fact that people notice outliers. Whenever someone does something that is unusual, difficult, or impressive, a kind of frenzy manifests around that person. A stellar student is commended by the entire school; awards are given out in flamboyant ceremonies to high achievers; poems, songs, articles are written about accomplished, impactful individuals. How could we not then at some point think, why not me? Why shouldn’t I try to be one of these people whom everyone appears to know about and therefore seemingly has a more meaningful, interesting life?
Except that there is a dark side to this pursuit and many pitfalls. For one thing, being noticed by others potentially brings with it a loss of privacy and a barrage of unwanted attention that can include the mean-spirited, jealous judgements of others. For another, it is clear that the pressure to recreate a former glory, to stay on top, to be externally validated can bring about unhappiness. And there is one inescapable paradox, which is that you give up the possibility of having an ordinary life when you pursue an extraordinary one. The kind of time, commitment, and dedication to one task required to reach an exceptional level of achievement and recognition necessarily means living an unbalanced existence where other aspects of a fulfilling life are sacrificed. At least, this is the lesson we learn from the 2011 documentary, Bobby Fischer Against the World.
Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011) is a documentary directed by Liz Garbus about the remarkable life of chess grandmaster, cold-war hero, and American fugitive Bobby Fischer.
Life Lesson: You give up having an ordinary life in pursuit of an extraordinary one.
🍿Movie Scene Link (movie quote)
What’s so great about an ordinary, quiet life you ask? That’s like asking what’s so great about peace, harmony, tranquility. If you have it, you may take it for granted or not realize what a treasure it is to be able to go about your day in a calm manner, unconcerned about what others think of you, uninterested in trying to impress strangers. A quiet, ordinary, peaceful life seems like a better outcome for many celebrities who do in fact gain worldwide fame and leave a mark in the history books, only to walk the earth in anguished desperation, at all times seeking approval and renown from the easily distracted and the hard to please.
But what about Carpe Diem, seize the day? What about striving and living life to the fullest, sucking the marrow out of life? Does this not imply doing something big, something worthwhile? Is this not the lesson of Dead Poets Society (1989), that we should have truly extraordinary lives and not settle for ordinary, predetermined, structured lives, where we fall in line like everyone else, march to the same beat, and become just another cog in a large, uncaring machine?
Dead Poets Society (1989) is a drama directed by Peter Weir about a group of students at a private preparatory school, Welton Academy, where their unconventional English teacher, Mr. Keating (Robin Williams), encourages them to seek passion, be freethinkers, and fully express their identity and individuality.
Life Lesson: Carpe Diem — Seize the Day.
🍿Movie Scene Link (movie quote)
On the surface it may seem like Dead Poets Society is saying something along the lines of achieve more, strive, seek, accomplish more. But Mr. Keating, a romantic, doesn’t mean it the way it may sound. He is talking to elite, driven students, who already have heard and internalized that message of shooting for the stars, striving for excellence, and making yourself and your family proud. Instead, Mr. Keating is trying to teach them something else. By extraordinary, he doesn’t mean to try to get accolades, to try to win prizes, or have a book written about you. Actually, he means to have a joyous life, to experience the wonder of the world, to seek passion and feel the range and depth of emotion available in your everyday, ordinary life through music, poetry, and personal human experiences. What he urges his students to do is to embrace living. This is what making the most of your life is about.
In the world of Mr. Keating, you can have an ordinary life lived in an extraordinary way, where you can pursue your passions with courage and conviction, as well as achieve a modest but rewarding level of success. And it turns out that this is more appealing than not being able to have an ordinary life at all. Nevertheless, the captivating idea of having crowds of people cheering you on, canonizing you, waiting with bated breath for your next move, interested in your life, and what you have to say, lingers. Fortunately for most of us, reaching this kind of acclaim is unlikely to happen, so the real question is not should you live an ordinary life or an extraordinary life, but rather, what will you do in your ordinary life to make it extraordinary?
Please make Mr. Keating proud.
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I love this entry, and I completely agree with the message 😄 “what can I do with my ordinary life to make it extraordinary” is such an important question that more people should ask themselves. There should be less focus on accolades, and more focus on just enriching our lives with beautiful experiences.
Oh man I still have to see Dead Poets Society! And the "crowds of people cheering you on" reminds me of two things (ideas from other people). 1. When we feel most alone we actually have people on our team, we just don't know who they are yet, or we've forgotton who they are 2. (This one is a direct quote from Gabethebassplayer.com...
"Your fans think they’re really smart for liking what you do. They believe they have good taste and have discovered an oasis in the crowded streets of content.
They know it’s unlikely you’ll hit a home run every time but they also like being the kind of people who are along for the ride, the kind of people who give another chance, the kind of people who are curious and loyal and gracious enough to give you the benefit of the doubt.
Keep finding ways to affirm and reward these people." Which is a nice way of being extraordinary whether your the fan, or the "star."