Mediocre At Best

What is it about society today that makes mediocrity acceptable? Why do we as a people accept par, or even sub-par, behavior? While I think it is unfortunate, I do understand that not everyone can be excellent at many things. Some people only excel at one thing. And there are some who excel at nothing. They dabble in many things that may seem easy for them, but in reality they are mediocre, at best.

I spend a lot of time watching young dancers. And dance is a hard thing to excel at. Lots of years and discipline go in to dance training. There are some great dancers. There are a lot of okay dancers. And there are a whole lot of bad dancers. One of the issues I have is that people not only accept mediocrity, but encourage it. I don't get it. Why? We should push young people to be better than everyone else. They should excel at what they do... and if they don't, they should find something they are good at. Because saying "look at how she does this! and she's only 14!" does not make her any better at it. She is still bad, and we're limiting her by pretending she's not.

I find while I'm watching the next generation (are they the next generation? am I a whole generation ahead of today's high school kids? gosh...I'm old) of kids grow and mature, that there is a general lack luster attitude about life. Like it's not their responsibility to make the most of the situation present. Sometimes when I'm teaching, my students are trying to do something, but they are doing it wrong. They look to me like, "Help me fix this!" when really, there's nothing I can do. They have to find it and figure it out for themselves. But sometimes that seems to be too complex an idea. So instead they put forth a "half-ass" attempt, and just tell me it's because they can't do it. Bullshit... oops I meant, B.S.

But Epiphany, why, you may ask, are you writing this post disparaging mediocrity this new year? Because it is absolutely the time to tackle this. Quick, while everyone is making their New Year's Resolutions. In 2012 MEDIOCRITY is not acceptable. Personally, nothing less than 110% will be acknowledged as effort from myself. In the Kwanzaa celebration, January 1 is the day of Imani, meaning faith. Last year, I talked about having faith in my God to lead me where He plans. This year I see that, and raise myself to take more risks in my faith that no matter what, what God means for me to be will be. Whatever needs to be done to make my life and myself who and what God wants will be done without hesitation. I already know I have many blessings, they only wait for me to take them. I plan to excel at not only what I want to do but everything God leads me to do in 2012.

the rest is still UNwritten...