A mediocre life; a life lived less than well. A life without achievement. A life without purpose. A life of routine and monotony. A life without challenge. A life without impact. A life that is anything but memorable. A life spent just trying to make ends meet. A life without vision. A life lived but not experienced.

When I think of what it means to live a mediocre life, these are the pitfalls that come to my mind. These are choices to be avoided at all cost. These go beyond a fear of missing out or living a life you can brag about to your friends. These are words that take the form of a stake through the heart. These are words, if used to describe me on my deathbed, that would mean time wasted. These are not words without meaning. These are not words without a backstory.

Thinking back on my childhood, I can’t remember a time when my parents told me I couldn’t be whatever I wanted to be. My dreams were never stifled or belittled. My wishes for the future were never childish or impossible. My hopes weren’t fantasy. They were moments in time waiting to be captured. To get there, I needed grit, determination, vision, and commitment. I needed time and patience. I needed to do the work. If I did, everything would have a way of falling into place.

The place where I saw myself changed often and with every milestone in my life. What I wanted to do with my life at 13 is not what is happening at age 34. Priorities shifted, new values were established, and alternative lines were drawn in the sand. Never did I sell out. Never did I accept less than the best. Never did I settle. I continually push, try, fail, and learn all in an effort to honor the aspirations created by the environment I grew up in and the hopes I created for myself.

Still, I am not satisfied and with an intense passion, I hope to never be. There are still corners of this Earth unseen by me. There are cultures unexperienced. There is food that hasn’t been tasted. There is meaningful work still to be done. There are conversations waiting to be had. There is a life to be lived. There is a mediocre life to be avoided.

This drive and determination are a couple of the things I like most about myself. It is the greatest gift ever given to me by my parents. It defines every aspect of my life. It is the message I preach to new parents and those who think the time has passed them by without a chance to truly live. Sure, I am left restless and a hopeless wanderer. I may never know one place or a group of people for long, but I will die having lived. For me, there is nothing better in this world.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

I've never asked readers for financial support before. I am committed to keeping content on this site free and open to all. For me, this means no paywalls or subscription fees. If you like what I create, please consider making a contribution on Patreon.