Just today I received 3 emails telling me how to “grow my tribe,” “take my blog to the next level,” and “stand out from the crowd.”

You know, it all tempts me. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it. Ordinary, normal or average isn’t “cool.” We need to be exceptional!

Except that now, more than ever, I am very aware that I can’t. Right now it takes everything within me, to simply show up each day.

Scott Jurek just finished running the Apalacian Trail today (you guys! That’s 2,200 miles!) and beat the old record with his time of 46 days, 8 hours and 11 minutes. Can you even imagine?!

Me? Well, I got up this morning and did the workout that was scheduled for me. I am here today for my children even though I am battling a serious case of “overwhelm” compliments of PTSD.

Serious, like I keep having to go back to bed because I’m so overwhelmed by my unpredictable emotions right now. Serious, like, once again I had to skip attending church because I knew that it would make me panic in such a huge way that I’d probably not be able to do anything for the rest of the day.

Getting up today was my personal ultra-endurance event. Getting in my 2 hr workout and finding at least some measure of “brave” there to help me face life was my own personal record.

kansas skies

Doing what you can do today, even if it isn’t “tribe building” or “epic” is okay, my friends. We don’t have to be anything other than what we are, where we are to be loved by the Lord.

Go forth and be normal, my friends. Average is totally okay. And when things really stink? Well, we are still loved and accepted, right where we are.

I’m right there in the thick of it with you, being normal, or something like that.

“Courage, dear heart.”

the end.

ps~ I am aware that it is somewhat to very ironic that as a single mom of twelve children who loves to train for endurance athletic events, I am writing here, extolling the virtues of being “average.”  😮  This is my “normal” though, as strange as it is to other people! Give yourself a break, friends. Being who you are, where you are is okay.