One of the hardest things in the world is to appreciate where you are right now. That’s not how society thinks nowadays- it’s not about where you are right now- it’s about the goals! It’s about the next big step, the next big move, the next level, the more exciting adventure, and the bigger and better options. We can spend our entire lives fighting for something that is coming and no time at all thinking about where we actually are.
Spiderman faces this dilemma in Spiderman Homecoming. He has worked with the Avengers, he has incredible abilities, and he wants to move forward and do incredible things right now! He is over studying simple lessons in class, hanging around with high-school students, and doing simple things like giving directions. He has had a taste of the big action and wants to be fighting the big guys right now.
“I am so far beyond high school right now.”
But to be fair, he is only 15 years old. He seems so young, but what’s most interesting is we keep doing this our entire training. Far too often, we go to college saying “I’m ready for more.” We go to grad school saying, “I don’t need more basics.” We start our jobs declaring, “I’m better than this.” We want to move on right here and right now, far too often before we’re really ready to excel in the ways we imagine.
Because part of really learning how to excel is learning how to wait patiently and appreciate the little things. The simple jokes with your friends. The neat class in school with random facts you didn’t know.
It’s hard to appreciate the days you didn’t save the world. But it’s only when we get to the point that we appreciate the mundane that we are truly able to appreciate life. Because most days we aren’t battling a war criminal. Most days we don’t get to cure cancer. Most days we cannot create world peace. Most days are just regular days with regular people, regular classes, regular assignments, in regular lives. But it’s being excellent and patient with the regular days that gets you most ready to succeed when the incredible opportunities do come around.
And if you haven’t seen them yet, just hang in there, they’re coming.