or·di·nar·y

/ˈôrdnˌerē/  adjective  with no special or distinctive features; normal, usual, or commonplace; familiar in a way that is often overlooked

/ˈôrdnˌerē/  noun  something or someone regarded as typical or unremarkable; the everyday moments that quietly shape our lives

There’s something quietly radical about the ordinary. 

In a world that idolizes the exceptional, the ordinary slips by—unnoticed, uncelebrated, and yet, always there. Life, for most of us, marches on in the most ordinary of fashions. 

The sun rises, the coffee brews (or in my case, the Diet Mountain Dew can cracks open), we walk the same sidewalks with the same dogs, seeing the same neighbors as they do the same. To live an ordinary day is to be a random face in random places—woven into the fabric of the everyday.

Yet, the ordinary is perfect—not because it’s remarkable, but because it’s how we choose to experience it. 

There’s a subtle magic in the ordinary, a kind of authenticity that can’t be manufactured or staged. 

It’s the gentle spring breeze, the sound of birds chirping, the smell of fresh cookies warm from the oven. These aren’t headline moments, but they’re the ones that quietly shape our lives. Ordinary and authentic is a simple yet fulfilling way to live.

The soundtrack of my ordinary has always been there—sometimes loud and anthemic, sometimes soft and quietly persistent. Ed and Taylor have been constants through all of their eras—authentic, ever-evolving, yet always true to themselves. Their music transforms even the most mundane moments into soulful experiences, adding a layer of meaning to whatever vibe the day ushers in.

Lately, my playlist has grown—augmented by the raw honesty of Gracie, the heartfelt storytelling of Alex, and the soaring vocals of Benson. Each artist brings something new, yet what connects them is a sense of authenticity—a refusal to pretend, a willingness to evolve, and a knack for finding beauty in the everyday. 

The familiar is often overlooked, but it’s also what grounds us. 

The routines, the rituals, the people we see every day; they’re the anchors that keep us steady when life gets unpredictable. 

There’s a quiet power in the ordinary, in showing up, in being consistent, in choosing to care. 

The music that fills my days becomes a mirror for my own ordinary—reflecting the small joys and quiet struggles that make up most days. 

There’s comfort in knowing that the soundtrack of my life is shared by so many others—that somewhere, someone else is humming along to the same chorus, feeling a little less alone.

Life has seasons for a reason. When we survive the harsh moments—the metaphorical cloudy days and cold winters—we learn the real value of the thriving moments. 

We appreciate the sunshine on sunny days, and even moreso when we’ve missed it on the cloudy ones.

The ordinary days, the ones that blur together, are the backdrop against which joy and gratitude come into focus.

April 28, 2025