In watching President Obama’s farewell speech this past Tuesday, he made a statement of “. . . that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, and they get engaged, and they come together to demand it.” That one statement referring to ordinary people struck me as odd and troublesome since ordinary means for the most part with no special or distinctive features.

The use of ordinary to essentially describe a population or community of people that can do great things seemed misplaced.  I am not commenting on the speech or the President, but more so on how what seems like benign use of words or carefully chosen words can reinforce beliefs that we are ordinary or lesser than others, and in this particular case that it is inspiring to be ordinary because even ordinary people can do good or extraordinary things.

Aren’t we all extraordinary? Do not each of us bring unique talents, gifts, perspectives and experiences to the communities in which we live and to the world? Agreeing that you are ordinary is denying the gifts that are uniquely yours. Labeling yourself as ordinary diminishes you, and having others in what some might say are in positions of power or leadership labeling you as ordinary seems like a power-broker move. 

No one walking on this earth today is ordinary. Far too often we lose sight of the remarkable beings we are and the energy and power within ourselves to create not only great lives for ourselves but for the world around us. I think many today often resign themselves to mediocrity, unconsciously going about their days and not being in the moments of their days because they believe they are ordinary or listen to an inner voice that is caught up in fear or doubt.

Many believe that the “great ones” among us—in art, politics, business, etc.—are different, better, special, extraordinary, and either strive to be like them or think we can never realize that level of extraordinary. The truth is each one of us is special and extraordinary. We all have great purpose, and amazing potential. We all have authentic power to impact many, and we have the ability to break through doubt, fear and excuses.

So do not let anyone, including yourself, refer to you as ordinary. Thinking, believing and acting that you are ordinary limits you and your ability to make change and to be a creator.  Remember, the words we use have a staggering power to create our reality. I am not ordinary, and neither are you!