When I was young, I wanted to be great. I wanted to be important, successful and powerful. I wanted to be put onto a pedestal, where I could get the adulation and approval I craved.
I wouldn’t have put it that way then, of course. I just thought I wanted the things my culture presented as normal goals for someone like me. (I understand now the degree to which being raised by a narcissistic father left me craving approval and attention.)
As I’ve gotten more emotionally healthy and psychologically mature, I’ve been surprised to find out that my desires in life have changed. It’s not that I’ve “given up.” It’s not that I’m settling for something easy after failing to achieve things I wanted.
My desires today are healthier and far more likely to make me happy. You see, I want to be ordinary. I want to be a good man. I want to be kind and loving and content with the joy of living an ordinary human life.
But I’ve recently discovered a fascinating paradox. As an ordinary man, I won’t have the things this world and our culture have always promised me. I won’t have wealth or power or adulation. But it turns out that the people who gain what the world and our culture promise won’t have what I have.
They won’t have the peace and contentment and joy of a man who’s living a simple and ordinary life.
Letting go of dead dreams can lead to path you need to follow
Why do American Christians impose political beliefs on God?
Rational rules don’t apply when the state gives itself a monopoly
Attention, fellow nerds: How are we doing with ‘normal’ people?
My utopia’s different from your utopia — and that’s just fine
I’m disgusted to live in a world where Judge Judy makes millions
My ideal woman will never exist, but I keep falling in love with her
Until I can have the family I need, I’ll spend my Thanksgiving alone
