Be that friend

I hope I don’t offend some with this post, but I feel like it’s a needed message. More and more often it feels like people (of all ages) are okay with “mediocrity.” What does that even mean…?

Definition: “ordinariness, commonplaceness, lack of inspiration, indifference… A person of mediocre ability; nobody, lightweight, amateur…”

We are too surprised when we get “great” service at the post office, restaurants, or a routine call to a local utility or similar. When did this happen? Over time, the standards of excellence appear to have declined. At one time even I, with little supervision, couldn’t leave the house on a Friday without dusting every last knick-knack in the house. (If you are younger than me, ask me or someone older what a knick-knack means. Trust me, the generation above ours loved these, and if you don’t believe it’s a real thing, look it up – I had to. I thought it most certainly was not only vintage language but totally made up. (Sub-note: I vowed to never have knick-knacks at a very early age. I highly recommend we continue this ban.))

I love this idea that friends don’t let other friends be mediocre. Really, we all need someone – hopefully a band of people – who are willing and able to help us rise above commonplace. Being average, being “okay,” just getting along… that’s not what we want, is it? I firmly believe that 99% of all people want to fulfill their purpose, to serve well, to propel ourselves and others to new levels. I also know from experience that we need those friends to lift us up, give us a nudge, help us push past our own narrative and into new thresholds. These are coaches, friends, co-workers, nurses, doctors, teachers, neighbors, and yes, family. These are people like you and me! This takes courage… it takes the willingness to have meaningful dialogue that can take time and investment. These are the conversations that become the difference makers and game-changers.

Let’s all make a commitment this week to be that friend who cares enough to have that candid conversation. I’ve written about it before but let’s cater to each others success, not our egos. We need real friends who care and as a result, we all make this world so much better.

So thankful for each of you!