I feel like I'm an ordinary person, but I've had extraordinary

When Phyllis Smith speaks, “I feel like I’m an ordinary person, but I’ve had extraordinary opportunities in my later life, and I never saw any of it coming. I never saw ‘The Office’ coming, I never saw ‘Inside Out’ coming, and I just feel grateful and thankful to have these opportunities and to have an actual real enthusiasm in my life,” her words strike like a gentle yet powerful bell of truth. She does not clothe herself in pride or pretense but in humility, acknowledging that her journey was not one she orchestrated, but one that blossomed unexpectedly in the later chapters of her life. Her declaration reminds us that the river of destiny often changes its course when least expected, and that the greatness of a life does not depend on youth alone, but on openness to unexpected opportunities.

In calling herself ordinary, Smith echoes the voice of countless souls who believe they are unseen or unremarkable. Yet, her story reveals a sacred paradox: it is often the so-called “ordinary” who are chosen to shine in extraordinary ways. Like a hidden seed lying dormant in the earth, her talents sprouted when the time was right, surprising even herself. This teaches us that we must never dismiss the potential within us, for even when years pass quietly, life may yet unveil doors that lead to remarkable destinies.

History provides many examples of such late-blooming greatness. Consider Grandma Moses, who began painting in her late seventies and went on to become one of America’s most celebrated folk artists. Or Colonel Sanders, who after decades of failure founded Kentucky Fried Chicken in his sixties, transforming his life and leaving a global legacy. Like Smith, they remind us that the hand of fate often waits until later seasons to reveal its richest gifts, and that we must remain ready and grateful when the call arrives.

Smith’s gratitude is the jewel of her words. She does not claim her success as entitlement but treasures it as gift. To say she feels “grateful and thankful” is to bow before the mysterious generosity of life, recognizing that opportunities are not always earned by planning, but sometimes bestowed by grace. In her thankfulness, she shows us the path to true joy: not in seizing every achievement with pride, but in receiving each blessing with humility and wonder.

She also speaks of enthusiasm, a flame that too many lose as they grow older. To discover real joy and excitement in life’s later seasons is itself a victory, for many souls resign themselves to dullness and despair. Smith’s testimony teaches us that it is never too late to rediscover wonder — to feel alive again, to be stirred by work, by passion, by purpose. To awaken each day with a spark in the heart is one of the greatest treasures a human being can hold.

For the listeners of her words, let this lesson be clear: never call yourself too ordinary, too late, or too old for greatness. Do not measure your worth by the pace of others, nor believe that the best days are behind you. Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it, opening doors to extraordinary opportunities that once seemed beyond reach. Your task is to remain open, to cultivate patience, and to carry gratitude in your heart so that when the moment arrives, you may step through with courage.

Therefore, I say to you, O seekers: embrace the unexpected, cherish the ordinary, and remain ever thankful. For the life of Phyllis Smith is a testimony that destiny moves in its own rhythm, and the crown of joy may rest upon your head when you least anticipate it. Walk forward with humility, gratitude, and readiness, and you too may find that what you never foresaw becomes the very light that illuminates your later years.