As I sat down to write this blog post, the opening notes of “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran were playing in my head. This song has always spoken to me on a deeply personal level, and I often feel as though the lyrics are a reflection of my own life.
Like the song’s protagonist, I too have experienced loss and upheaval in my life. There have been times when I felt as though I was adrift in an ordinary world that had lost all meaning and purpose. The feeling of uncertainty and disorientation was overwhelming at times, and I often found myself struggling to make sense of my experiences.
Yet, even in the midst of these challenges, there was a sense of hope that kept me going. Like the song suggests, I realized that the only way to find my way forward was to embrace the journey itself. Rather than searching for a single “answer” or solution, I learned to take comfort in the small moments of joy and meaning that were present in my life.
It was not an easy journey, and there were many times when I stumbled and fell along the way. But with time, I found that the ordinary world around me had taken on new meaning and significance. Through my struggles and setbacks, I had learned to appreciate the small moments of joy and beauty that were present in my life, and I had grown stronger and more resilient as a result.
In many ways, I feel as though the lyrics of “Ordinary World” have become a kind of mantra for me. They remind me that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future. They encourage me to embrace the journey of life, with all its ups and downs, and to find meaning and purpose in the small moments of beauty that surround us.
In the end, the revelation of mercy or the triumph of blindness may hinge upon the decisions we make and the actions we take. The ability to shape our own destiny and carve a brighter future is within our grasp, but it necessitates bravery, unwavering determination, and a readiness to confront the uncertain.
To fashion a world more just and compassionate, we must cultivate the courage to take bold risks and rise to the occasion, even in the face of daunting challenges. It is through such audacity and perseverance that we may chart a course towards a future of boundless possibility and inexhaustible promise.
Colophon
The featured image in this composition is a captivating self-portrait I captured, in which I am proudly cradling the Duran Duran Wedding Album on vinyl, adding a personal touch that speaks to my appreciation for both the art of self-expression and the power of music to inspire and transform.
Asides
Closer To Fine By The Indigo Girls Reminds Me Of My Own Life | Always On The Outside Looking In | The World I Came Into Has Gotten Too Scary | A Little Ghost For The Offering | A Typical Fridays Child | Friendship And The Life I Left Behind | “Ordinary World” – Duran Duran: An Artist A Week/A Song A Day – A History of Alternative Music
I don’t truly think anyone in this world is ordinary or truly average. We are each vessels made of stardust with infinite potentialities, and to see ourselves as average or ordinary limits us, keeps us from realizing how little of our capacities we actually use day to day. I feel so many human beings don’t allow ourselves to recognize the godlike powers we all contain, and sadly, most of us never discover our greatest talents, as we are funneled through an educational system that is geared towards the lowest common denominator. Those who recognize their own intelligence and intellectual capacities from a young age, such as you and I, are often shunned out of fear, borne of others’ misunderstanding of their own capabilities. As much as I’ve worked to bring out the best in others, much as I know you have personally, it often fails, but not due to our lack of effort or care; rather, our society is organized in such a way where it pays to be ordinary or average, and it’s a damn shame.
In “The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark,” Carl Sagan analyzed the use of the lowest common denominator in popular media as a means of appealing to the widest possible audience. He noted that this practice often involves simplifying complex and nuanced ideas to a point where they are easily understood by the general public, but this approach also sacrifices depth and accuracy in the process.
According to Sagan, the promotion of such a practice is detrimental, as it reinforces ignorance and misunderstanding on critical issues. He argued that we should aim to enhance public knowledge about intricate concepts and facilitate their engagement in critical discussions, rather than reducing ideas to the lowest common denominator.
During my adolescent years, I had a rare and highly coveted opportunity to meet Carl Sagan. This opportunity presented itself to me, but unfortunately, I was unable to take advantage of it due to my father’s last-minute intervention.
It was a significant moment for me as a young girl, as I had always been fascinated by the work of Carl Sagan and had dreamed of meeting him in person. However, my father, for reasons unknown to me, decided to prohibit me from meeting him.
The missed opportunity to meet Carl Sagan left a lasting impression on me, and it has continued to influence my academic and personal pursuits throughout my life. It has taught me to persevere through setbacks and to remain steadfast in the pursuit of my goals, no matter the obstacles that may arise.
I also love this song, and the entire album–to this day, it’s one of my favourites. Think I’ll go listen to it now and reread your words while I do. 🙂
Wow, Suzanne! Thank you so much! 🙂
Amazing album!
Agree! 😀
Your writing is as beautiful as ever, with such a deep self awareness that can’t help but inspire anyone whom has any insight into the authenticity of their own identity!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️
Hi Mrs. Hubbard, my favorite teacher! It is good to hear from you, and I wish to thank you for your kind words of encouragement! I am truly inspired to know that my writing has resonated with you on a deeper level. These past few years have been incredible for me, as not only was I able to turn my dreams into reality, but I most notably, I have grown as a writer, arguably the catalyst was my marriage to another writer. My wife and I share our ideas and collaborate on an almost daily basis, and as such my relationship with her, and my writing have become the two things I focus on.