Tuesday, October 06, 2009

I strive for mediocrity

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My life goes in a pattern. I try something, I fall in love with it, I eat, sleep and breathe it but then my interest wanes so I move on to the next thing.

In the time that I focus on the task at hand I learn quickly. I learn enough to be good at it. But I always feel like I hit a ceiling whereby any further effort will be for naught. I never get to great.

Thankfully this is never the case with the important things in life just the hobbies. Over the years I have tried figure skating, horseback riding, indoor climbing, photography and most recently running.

I quit figure skating after six years of hard work. In that time I made great progress. I started at a late age and was always behind the girls my own age but that didn't bother me at all. I made great strides at closing the gap in that short time and that made me feel good.

A few years later my parents got me a horse (yes, I may have been a tad spoiled, why do you ask?) and I began taking lessons. I loved it. It was like coming home because I had something new to learn and strive for. It filled a void that skating had left in my life. Again, I lived the sport, spending hours riding, practicing, reading about it and traveling to local clinics to learn from the experts.

Then University and that whole career thing that follows got in the way and I said good bye to my horse. Then came the kids and the change of carreer.

I still tell myself that someday I will ride again but the truth is I likely won't because new hobbies and passions have taken over. There is only so much time in the day.

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It does give me pause to wonder though if maybe I am satisfied to be mediocre at everything I try and once I achieve that, my attention span is maxed out and I move on to the next thing.

But at the same time, I have no regrets about the path my life has taken. Each activity I have participated in has taught me something invaluable. I wouldn't be who I am today if I had not been passionate about each one.

I do wonder though where I will be in five years. Will I still be running? Will I still be trying to improve my photography skills?

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Only time will tell.

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18 comments:

Lori said...

change is a good thing. we learn, we grow we change. if you were unhappy and continued what's the point. if you didn't look for changes in life wouldn't life be boring? the big thing is not to accept "just ok" in your relationships, in your life challenges. But the little things you do just for yourself.. just ok may be enough

TheFitHousewife said...

Reading your blog makes me feel like we are long lost sisters! I also did figure skating, horse riding, photography, and running (my parents also bought me horse...yup, spoiled)! And like you, I do them for a few years and then move on. I think I have tried almost every hobby out there but have never really committed to any of them. I have never really thought what that means! Hmmm...now you've got me thinking!

Jen Wilson said...

Heck yes you'll still be running! I'll MAKE you! And I'll try to remember to encourage you in your photography. I LOVE these photos!

I also have a problem with mediocrity. I get really good at the basic-ness of something, and then I drop it before I'm able to fail at it. Yup, I'm smart like that.

Angella said...

I think the fact that you try new things is a GOOD thing. Would you rather be absolutely perfect at ONE thing, or be good at (and enjoy) a number of things.

Just a thought...

mamatucci said...

I do the same. But change is good and trying new things never gets old

R Royal Family said...

I like what Angela said. There is nothing wrong with having your fingers in a few different pots, makes life interesting ;-)

teeni said...

Oh, Kami - are we on the same cycle in life or something? You seem to be able to express the things I feel so well. I have been wondering the same things for quite some time and wonder where it all leaves me in life. I feel that life is short and there are so many things I want to try and do so I do pick up some things and go full steam ahead with them (thanks to my wonderful hubby for supporting me) and I go on to learn as much as I can and stay with it for about a year or so and then I drop it for the next thing that catches my interest. Then I am left here wondering why I'm good at lots of things but not really great at anything and wondering if I can still be a valuable member of society! I still think I haven't found what I want to be when I grow up! I guess I am just a "Jane of All Trades."

Cheryl said...

Trying new things is what life is about! Not many people are able to stay committed throughout the years to one specific hobby...kids seem to take over!
The most important thing is that you stay involved...not obsessed. Fitness and photography will be part of your life forever, it may go from running to yoga or biking, and then back to running, the main thing is you keep your interest in fitness in general!

Unknown said...

PHOTOGRAPHY, I think will stick, cause you're always going to be taking pictures...and you've already improved by LOTS...i think you're awesome.

A Crafty Mom said...

Great post, Kami! I think a lot of us all feel the same way - it is difficult to remain thoroughly committed to one thing for years and years. It's your passion for life that matters!

I would guess that you will still be running in five years - it's a habit that's hard to shake! The "high" feeling you get from it stays with you.

I think I knew you were a figure skater . . . I was too. I skated for a long time and then coached here in Ottawa for a long time too. I actually only stopped before I had my first baby . . . and I still love getting my skates on a couple times each winter!!

Alicia W. said...

I think your fabulous no matter what you do. Photoraphy though is defiently something you should keep up.. your good.. and I love looking at your beautiful pictures.

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

Testing. Trouble commenting, please let me know!

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

does it always need to be done twice?

Kristin said...

Rather than mediocrity you need a fancier word - try "I am a polymath"...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymath. Nice though, lets say at a large buffet of amazing food, not many people would choose only one thing and eat it only. A true appreciator of finer things in life samples everything, right?

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