being ordinary and happy

When we are young, we think there is glory in being different, in swimming against the stream, in dancing to a beat of a different drum. We wish to fit in, but even more, we wish to be noticed by being extraordinary and special. Our school system, and, often, our high achieving parents, reinforce that idea by asking more of us, by inspiring us with examples of extraordinary people and their deeds. They want us to aim high, to not be content with the status quo.  But as we get older, we start to appreciate the status quo. We start to understand that life presents enough challenges as it is, and that the most efficient way of maximizing enjoyment is to remove unnecessary obstacles by learning to fit in rather than stand out. We realize that swimming against the stream is exhausting, and the same or more can be achieved by floating down the river with everyone else, and then, if necessary, getting in the car and driving to the stream head. As I raise my daughter, I think about all of the things that I would like to teach her. I think about the human evolution: what can I do to save her some of my mistakes. I am committed to teaching her the value of hard work, of course. And, although I would never tell her to disregard her passion for the sake of fitting in, what i will definitely teach her is, given a choice of several potentially desirable options, picking the most ordinary is the wisest choice. That will probably not make her a president, or a scientist that cures cancer, but it will allow her to live in peace and be happy. And happiness is a worthy goal, if you ask me.