I, Shamim Merchant, author of this article and many previous to this, have always been a very timid girl all my life. In addition to this, growing up in a large joint family, many a times we lose our identity or become a shadow of a more dominant member in the house. Throughout my education and career, I haven’t scored or progressed in flying colours. So basically, I have been an average girl.
Having said that, howbeit the important factor is, that in spite of being an average person, I’m happy in my own sphere and doing what I love to do.
What is average and who decides the benchmark? Moreover, why is it such a huge reason for our unhappiness?
Let’s crack the shell. Break the cocoon and bring out the beautiful butterfly hiding inside us.
If we haven’t achieved any extraordinary heights in our life or in our career, then we are considered to be average. Totally agreed. But it should not offend you if you are a simple common man. Most of us come under that category. We work hard, do our 9 to 5 jobs, raise families and make a home. Just about what any average man would do.
Now let me tell you this. Even if we don’t have great stories to tell or superior achievements to brag about, it doesn’t mean we have led an unsuccessful life. If the people around you are happy and if YOU are happy, then by all means you have lived a very successful life. Isn’t that the true and the whole purpose of one’s living existence?
Especially in today’s digital world, it is so easy to get influenced by all the crap that is spreading around on social media sites. The online world is and can be deceiving. The photographs posted, the number of likes received, the comments given and all the other nonsense. If you are not par with the others, if you are a less of a man, it can be quite intimidating and you may think,
“Oh my god! I’m so backward.”
Relax. On the contrary, I would say,
“Be happy. You are away from the rat race!”
There’s absolutely no reason and no need to blindly follow someone else’s dream and try to achieve it, simply so that you can rise on the scale above average. It will only lead you to disappointment and frustration. Carve your own path, even if it is simple. Concentrate on your own goals and how you will meet your targets. It will give you an immense sense of peace and satisfaction.
It is not inferior to be average but at the same time it is not bad to be intellectual and famous. Those who are enjoying the fame, remember they have slogged for it, made some sacrifices in life and sweat themselves to reach where they are today. There’s no such thing as free lunch. Nobody is stopping you if you want to touch the sky and create history. Are you ready to take all the pains for the gains you have set your eyes on? If yes, then go for it.
If you want to increase your productivity, then learn a new skill, take risks, explore the road you’ve never walked on till now. Meet new people, broaden your horizons.
Average is a very subjective concept and each one will rank it differently. Nevertheless, it is extremely important to remember that it is totally fine to be average and live a simple life. Our surrounding is our world and our main focus in life should be to make an eden of the sphere we occupy.
Shamim Merchant
