Elite or Ordinary?

Today I meet Buttercup and Trilium, a couple of marathon athletes backpacking the length of Shenandoah Park. They were thoroughly in awe of thru hikers, which was ironic because they out hiked all of us. 

I've heard the occasional thru hiker expecting favoritism from hotels or other businesses, such as hiker rates, free shuttles, extra hours or other favors. I've even heard, with some sense of entitlement, "But we're thru hikers, so they should. ..."

At each of the shelters there is a spiral notepad for hikers to record their progress and thoughts. An entry at Rock Spring Hut reads "You thru hikers think you are so special. You're not. You're just ordinary people."

 

I agree with the author in the log book.
Granted that hiking the long trails is unusual, perhaps extraordinary. But we are just ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Definitely not elite and not accruing special entitlements.

As an analogy, when I do something stupid or hurtful, I don't think I'm a stupid or mean person. I'm an ordinary guy who did something wrong.  Same with good or helpful actions. Actions do become a pattern of behavior, and doing good repeatedly makes me grow into a better person. But not distinct like a saint. Just an ordinary guy trying to do good things. 

So I'm just an ordinary guy doing perhaps an extraordinary hike. Like anyone might do, albeit a pursuit other than hiking. 

Elitism and entitlement are poisons. They are fires that once lit must constantly be fed through gaining advantage over others. The fires ultimately consume your soul.  Never put yourself ahead of others. Their needs and wants are no less important than yours, and the deepest joy in life comes from helping others. 

Humility is a virtue that makes life's choices easy and clear. Even the Dalai Lama says he is just an ordinary monk.  Know that you are ordinary and rejoice in it. Then go do extraordinary things. 

Elkwallow Wayside 22.7 miles.