Mediocre in its simple signification I do not despise at all. And one certainly does not rise above that mark by despising what is mediocre. In my opinion one must begin by at least having some respect for the mediocre and know that it already means something, and that it is only reached through great difficulty.
–Vincent van Gogh
A Mindful Life / Kathryn Harper
express : discover : renew : create
This reminds me of being in therapy–long, long ago and I was separated and moving toward divorce. I was working at a university and definitely not giving the 200% I usually did–and was beating myself up for it. My psychiatrist was an absolutely wonderful man (dead now) and he smiled and said, “Maybe you could be contented for a while to be an average State of California employee.” Between that remark (mediocre) and my secretary telling me she wouldn’t cover for me anymore after a certain date, I got my shit together.