The Courage to Be Ordinary - David Spinks' Newsletter

She’s a middle school teacher. She loves routines. She orders the same thing at restaurants. She’s on her third watch of Pretty Little Liars. She doesn’t feel drawn to risk or change. She can mostly do the same thing every day and be happy. I, on the other hand, have been terrified of being ordinary. My parents told me I was special and darn it, I was going to prove them right. I took big risks, built companies, avoided routines, moved around, and tried everything as long as it wasn’t “ordinary”. And yet, I have loved Alison more than anything or anyone else in the world since we met 18 years ago. How can I, someone terrified of living an ordinary life, love and commit to someone I perceived to be living that life? Well if you know Alison, then you know. She is universally loved by the people around her. She brings her full heart into her work and has claimed the title of “favorite teacher” for countless students. When you talk, she listens deeply. She knows who she is. She’s content w

She’s a middle school teacher. She loves routines. She orders the same thing at restaurants. She’s on her third watch of Pretty Little Liars. She doesn’t feel drawn to risk or change. She can mostly do the same thing every day and be happy. I, on the other hand, have been terrified of being ordinary. My parents told me I was special and darn it, I was going to prove them right. I took big risks, built companies, avoided routines, moved around, and tried everything as long as it wasn’t “ordinary”. And yet, I have loved Alison more than anything or anyone else in the world since we met 18 years