Mediocrity. The voice in our heads that shrugs or points or minimizes potential. It subtly and abhorrently steals joy, steals growth.

Mediocrity. It sounds like:

“I can’t…”

“I could never…”

“I don’t….”

It is limiting. It’s the content crab preventing progress.

I believe this scripture. It’s one of my favorites but I learned something new this week. It gets even better. Here’s the full section:

Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/37?lang=eng

For how 100% I have loved and tried to live this principle, I can’t believe how I have missed one very important word. Very. No really, very. The word is very. As if small and simple weren’t enough (which, for me, this week they were not) it adds that by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth the salvation of many souls.

I can do very small. The word very was empowering to me.

Mediocrity is the denial of very.

Mediocrity is mislabeling clumsy efforts as foolishness.

If I had more time I would share more – or maybe not. Maybe small and simple is actually great. I’ll trust that. Jesus is real. He is cheering us on to move forward. He makes progress real and possible. There is nothing mediocre about moving forward with Him. He fills us with joy and grace. His grace is amazing. Very.