Everyone of us knows an outlier.
A special kind of person who seems to have everything in the world coming to them. A person who, through some exceptional means -- whether it be true talent, amazing luck, an affable personality, or a great support system -- enjoys life to the fullest. By the mere act of walking, all obstacles fold in awe of them as they waltz through the thicket of life. Friends nip at their heels, the only time you hear from them are when they post photos from foreign countries, and they shout status updates about car chases, shootouts, and explosions. They possess a worldly palate, having tasted delicacies from Africa to Asia, they have actually seen National Geographic scenery in real life, and they know how to find a good place to take a dump in five different languages.
All the while we sit in our homes and spectate their spectacular lives from afar. We ask ourselves:
"How do they do it?"
"What do they have that I don't?"
"Why are they off living the dream while I'm still stuck here dreaming?"
We can't even console ourselves with the thought that we may one day pass them because deep down inside, we know they'll always be above us, and we will be trying to catch up for as long as they live. Despite our envy and resentment, the moment we meet them, we are reminded of why this person is so much better than us.
So what do we do?
Be happy for these outliers?
Ignore them to maintain the integrity of averages?
Acknowledge their skewed life?
I can't speak for anybody else, but I can only take solace in the old adage that one man's garbage is another man's treasure.
