The only “B” I received in high school was in art. It was devastating. So, although I loved beautiful things, I forever closed the door to creating anything visually attractive of my own. Today, a lifetime away from high school, when my home-builder husband asks me to choose color combinations or tile patterns, I emphatically reply, “No, I’m not good at that.” Because someone told me I wasn’t.
What’s even sadder than being told you’re not good at something, however, is actually believing it and allowing those negative evaluations to limit your life.
You see, I’ve always adhered to the old adage, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” So if, after an initial attempt, I considered myself “not good” at something, I didn’t try it anymore. Athletics. Math. Dancing.
I figured no one could be good at everything, so I “stayed in my lane” doing things I was proficient at. Maybe it was pride that stopped me from trying activities outside my “natural ability” or maybe it was discouragement. I don’t know.
What I do know, however, is that for over fifty years, I wanted to do art even though I wasn’t good at it. And I never did. Until recently--when I gave myself permission to ignore that old adage about “doing all things well” and allowed myself to be mediocre.
When my husband and I visited Italy last month, I found myself in awe of the local artists filling Florence’s main square. Each one was creating his own version of whatever he thought was beautiful, from bright orange poppy-covered fields to personal renditions of David. Something came over me and without thinking, I said to my husband, “I want to sketch.” I plopped down on a bench facing the huge cathedral and took out a pad and pencil. While Dee continued to peruse the local artists’ works, I sketched the scene for about thirty minutes.
Brunelleschi would have been appalled at my drawing of his Duomo because, in terms of art, it was minimal. But in terms of the joy I experienced, it was a masterpiece.
The topic of mediocrity, the idea of failure, is a tough one for me. Colossians 3:23 is one of my key verses in life: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
While I completely agree with that scripture, I wonder how it applies when you’re new at something…or when you’re really not that good at something in spite of your efforts? Is it possible to work at something with your heart and still not have a very strong result? Does that mean we shouldn’t do it all?
A case in point: I know a lot of people who don’t sing in worship because they’ve been told they don’t sing well, so they never fully experience that joy of praising God through music. I know others who are just as lacking, but they sing loud and long and produce what can best be described as a “joyful noise unto the Lord.” Personally, I don’t think God cares about the result nearly as much as he cares about the heart.
So, I do believe in excellence, but I’m also starting to see that “failure” can be an option. Because if you learn something or if you enjoy what you’re doing, it’s really not failure, is it?.
Visual art may not be my strength, but I don’t think that means I can’t enjoy it or shouldn’t do it. Even if it’s mediocre. For now or for always.
That’s what I think. Now, it’s your turn…
What haven’t you done because you’re not good at it? Gourmet cooking? Writing? Playing pickleball? Maybe you’ve become frustrated with your unsuccessful efforts to memorize scripture, develop a healthy habit, or start an exercise regimen. You have to start somewhere. Mediocrity is a good place to do that and today is a good time. Will you share something that you’re willing to try, even if it is mediocre?