Zeraph

I just had an epiphany of sorts. I'll speak of the things that are considered "better" in life since the below average things are more obvious (poor, ignorant, etc).

I realized that if I were a lot richer, I'd have no real responsibility/consequence (or whatever you want to call it, we all know what I'm talking about with those kids that have billions from their parents by the time they're 12) and therefore little meaning in my life. If I were a lot smarter I'd tend to be more miserable, I'd analyze too much and always go with the "smart" thing to do. Thereby gaining less wisdom from making my own mistakes, and living too much on the dictate of others experiences. If you've ever met a real genius, you'd see what I mean, they tend to be miserable. If I were a lot better looking, I'd never need to work on my personality and not have as strong of relationships. I'm sure someone could say it a lot more elegantly but you can see were I'm going with this.

What sorts of things are you thankful for being average?

Xerxys

Ohhh, gosh, this is the exact opposite of me. I am thankful for the few things I have accomplished. Unfortunately I'm not a count your blessings kinda-guy. I despise myself for being average. I have no disabilities that prevent me from being extraordinary.

I want to be smarter, richer, better. I know what you are saying about the kids being rich thing but I want riches of my own. Wealth from within as well as on the outside. I want to look good in my own right. I want to make smart decisions that I will look back at and say, "wow, that was darn clever of me, I bet no one would have thought of that!!"

And no just because your a genius doesn't mean your not wise.

Plan9

Zeraph, you're totally justifying your complacency.

That's the emotional equivalent of masturbation, I believe.

...

I'm thankful that I'm a middle class white former military male.

I don't get any college scholarships... but I don't really need them.

I get out of traffic tickets by mentioning Fort Bragg.

Generally, I have nothing to complain about.

EDIT: Except my tiny penis.

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

JumpinJesus

84% of the population is average. 84% of the population thinks they aren't.

__________________
"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

shesus

Sometimes I would like to be below average because then I wouldn't have to think about all that shit. Ignorance is bliss. Unfortunately, you don't realize that until it's too late. I often wonder what my life would be like if I had stayed a cashier at the local Kroger and stayed in my hometown. Of course, I wouldn't trade my life now for anything, but if I had just settled for lower, I would not know that this life even existed. Damn aspirations.

__________________
Whatever did happen to your soul?
I heard you sold it

Choose Heaven for the weather and Hell for the company

Xerxys

Cromp monster!!!

The crompmonster is back!!!

Woohoooo!! Yay and all jubilation sounds possible for the crompmonster!!!!

//End threadjack, carry on.

Plan9

Hahaha! Awwh, you sugared-up little beagle you... I missed you, too. (scratches behind your ears)

I'm flattered you equate me with Clint Eastwood. That's an honor I don't deserve.

Yeah, I'm back. And I'm pissed!

(clenches fists, goes out to Set Things Right [TM])

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

Punk.of.Ages

I'm thankful for not being average. I mean I can relate to what you're saying here in a way, but I've never ever considered myself average, and have always been proud of my abnormality.

__________________
"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

Plan9

PoA,

You're average on the inside.

...

C'mon, let's assume two standard deviations.

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

Punk.of.Ages

Not really...

I'm sterile.

That's means I'm an abomination, right?

__________________
"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

Zeraph

You guys aren't getting me. Though I should have been clearer. I'm thankful for being *born* average. For starting out average. I never meant one shouldn't strive to be above average

Plan9

No, I get the point, bro... where you start and where you end up are totally different.

It's the popular athlete vs. rich nerd thing. Some people are "naturally" great, others achieve it over time.

While it is statistically acceptable to be average, some of us are too ambitious to be happy about it.

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

noodle

Paris Hilton.

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grumpyolddude

I have a bowling average. Once upon a time I had batting average and a grade point average. The term doesn't apply many other places, to my way of thinking.

If I were to decipher whether I was above or below average, I'd be measuring my life against other folks', rather than pursuing my personal goals. What you've acquired or accomplished is fine for you, but that's no measuring stick for my life.

Is it satisfying that I've earned what I have, as opposed to having it given to me? Damned betcha!

__________________
"Regret can be a harder pill to swallow than failure .With failure you at least know you gave it a chance..." David Howard