When Ordinary Is Extraordinary - Understanding Privilege
Privilege isn’t always about money or status. Sometimes it’s in the hot water, the clean towel, or the soap that smells so good you almost forget how extraordinary it really is.
Last week, while passing through Sydney airport, on my way to Canberra.
I washed my hands in a spotless restroom. The water was warm, the soap smelled delicious, and I had both a hand dryer and soft towels to choose from. In that small moment, I paused and thought: how lucky am I?
It might seem insignificant — a clean toilet facility, hot water, and the choice of how to dry your hands. Yet, for many people around the world, this is not the norm. For some, running water is scarce. For others, soap is a luxury. What we accept as everyday conveniences are, in reality, markers of privilege.
What Privilege Really Means
Privilege isn’t just about wealth, social status, or having more opportunities than others. It also shows up in the smallest details of life — the things we stop noticing because they feel so ordinary. A stable internet connection, access to education, reliable healthcare, freedom of movement, or even the ability to speak our truth without fear.
When we stop to acknowledge these things, we begin to see privilege not as something to be guilty about, but as something to be aware of. Awareness is the first step toward responsibility — how we choose to use what we’ve been given.
Choices and Privilege
As I share in Making Powerful Choices, the life we live today is largely the result of the choices we’ve made yesterday. But here’s the important part: not everyone begins on the same playing field. The kinds of choices available to you are directly influenced by the privileges you hold — whether that’s where you were born, the family you grew up in, the opportunities you had, or the freedoms your society grants you.
Recognising privilege isn’t about comparison or competition. It’s about context. It helps us understand why we are where we are, and why others may have had a harder path. More importantly, it challenges us to ask: Given the advantages I have, what choices will I make now?
Using Privilege Well
True power lies not in denying our privilege, but in how we use it. Will we use it to isolate ourselves and build walls? Or will we use it to create opportunities, extend kindness, and uplift others?
Privilege gives us a chance to think differently: to be more generous, more patient, and more empathetic. It can inspire us to see beyond ourselves and take responsibility for the ripple effects of our actions.
Reflection
Next time you catch yourself enjoying something “ordinary” — whether it’s clean water, a safe home, or a good meal — pause. Acknowledge the privilege in that moment. Then ask yourself:
How can I make choices that honour this privilege?
How can I extend opportunity, fairness, or compassion to others who don’t have the same advantages?
Because privilege, when paired with conscious choice, has the power to shape not just your life, but the lives of those around you.
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