About Me
A few years ago, someone close to me mentioned that I was very negative. Although it initially made me mad, I also began to think. Is the glass always half empty? Am I always comparing myself to an impossible standard? Do I easily find what’s wrong with the picture but hardly ever see what’s right?
I realized all of it was, unfortunately, true. That year, I made a New Year’s resolution to be positive. I’d like to think that year began my journey toward appreciating and loving life as it’s happening to me. Writing this blog is a very big part of that. It is not easy, but it’s an exercise in positivity and gratitude and searching for glimmers of the extraordinary in every situation.
Someone else I love once told me, “If you can’t see the bright side, polish the dull side.” That is what I am trying to do by writing about Extraordinary Things. I know my life is a gift, and although many things may be wrong, many things are also right. In every normal day, the extraordinary is hidden, waiting for me to notice it.
Am I a perpetually happy person? No! But I am complex and neurotic and fun and shy, and I write for a living. I love being 31, except for the gray hairs. I have a handsome husband who makes me laugh and encourages me to be more spontaneous. We’ve been married three years and each year, we celebrate in Chicago and eat Thai food. I have a gorgeous 2-year-old son, Jack. He has blond curls and is joyful. We have the best friends anyone could ever dream of, who tell us hard truths and sit on our front porch talking until all hours of the night. We love our church, where I have been learning lifechanging lessons about liturgy and the sacraments.
Please keep reading. I would like to share my extraordinary life with you.
I like the disclaimer at the bottom… Do tell more!
Sometimes there is a difference between who we are and what we do. I do not mean that we are hypocrites, but I do mean that we often wear many hats and it may sometimes be necessary to let a person know exactly which hat we are wearing when we say what we say. For instance, I am a Christian (first and always) – but I am a man, a father, a husband, a member of the black ethnic group, a 40-something year old, etc. How I feel about something as a husband might differ from how I could reasonably see it as a father. Thus, disclaimers are often necessary and appropriate. Kudos. (www.TheBoxStopsHere.com)
Hey Andrea,
Thought it was cool i found you online. Keep loving what your doing. It shows.
Congrats on the marriage.
Guy
Prv. 3:5-6
Hi Andrea Bailey, I’m Andrea Bailey as well. I like to google my name now and then to see who I am today. Anyway, I have only read a small portion of your blog so far, but it seems we have a lot in common. From living in CA and Chicagoland to ministry and writing. I have not ever really worked from a cubicle, but the person who fell off the ball…bah ha ha ha ha. I so would have been bustin’ up. The poor thing. Are they ok? Anyway, if you ever need an impersonator, let me know.
Take care.
Andrea
I just thought of starting a blog and naming it “Everyday Extraordinary.” But first I thought I should see if one already exists, and alas! I haven’t read much yet, but think I shall and see what I stumble upon. Glad to share the excitement of seeing everyday as extraordinary!!!
Tristen, I would love to read another blog called “Everyday Extraordinary.” I think the idea has vast potential, certainly more than I could ever cover in this blog! Please let me know when you get yours started.