“You’re a normal person.” 

To be honest, it’s a comment that would have destroyed me in my 20s. 

Then, I was striving. 
Then, I was hungry with ambition. 
Then, I was still trying to be golden. 

But, now at 34, I was delighted to hear it this week. 

Because normal is becoming my favorite place. 

I don’t have a big house…so cleaning and paying for it doesn’t steal my joy. 

I don’t have elite, air-tight social circles…so I learn and grow with everyone I meet. 

And, frankly, I’m just not cool…so Goodwill and simple things thrill me. 

But I almost missed normal. 

A couple times. 

When I let success and a perfect image become more important than people. 

But setbacks, and loss, and defeat can offer us the very best gift. 

The ability to see other hearts. 

And, for me, I’ll pick ordinary loving over an extraordinary life every day of the week. 

Because when the hardest times come. 

Being golden won’t save you.
Being powerful won’t save you. 

But choosing to humbly love others will.

Every time. 

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