Life is full of twists and turns as we all know. But how often do we see the path before it curves at our feet? Have you ever wondered what it would be like if we all could see the path up ahead? Some would say, if only they knew things would turn out this way. Others might do things the same, or do things differently. Either way, if you knew the future before your feet reached it, would it have the same effect?
I ask this question because a friend brought this up to me recently. She felt if she knew what her job would be like, she may not have ever gone and worked there for the past few years. I, in turn, asked her, what have you gained from it? Her first response was nothing. After further talk, she revealed to me that she found out she could handle more things than she thought she could. Now, that is quite a revelation.
It reminded me of times in my life when I felt overwhelmed or really sad and didn’t know how I would ever see the positive side to things again. It is easier to be lost in a pool of frustration than to stand up and admit where you are. Why? I wish I knew the answer. My point? Hard times and frustrations teach us and push us beyond our capable possibilities and help us achieve things we thought were impossibilities. Imagine what the world would be like if we all realized we are kinder than we think we are and smarter than we think we are, and even more capable then we realize we are. What could we accomplish? What kind of lives can we provide ourselves and our families with?
I will admit, I am my own biggest critic. I am much harder on myself than most people. I wish I wasn’t though. Because how many times has that held me back in life? Too often I have found myself thinking, why didn’t I have the guts to go for it. Either in school, work, or personal life. Now, over time, I feel I have become bolder thanks to life’s frustrations and challenges, but I know I still have a long way to go.
I found a quote by Bruce Lee that I love. He said, “If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”
That is quite a thought! What if the world wasn’t restricting us, but we were restricting ourselves? The power of thought and choices always comes back to us. Maybe, it’s not about what happens to you, it’s about how you deal with it and meet that challenge head on.
I have met so many amazing people in my journey through life. Most people I have realized are feeling lost in their own labyrinth not knowing how to get out. I know I have felt that before many times. Which is why I wonder now, if the key is and has always been inside us all along, and I was just too distracted to see it? I believe and challenge everyone to think of the impossibilities you wish you can achieve and turn them into possibilities you will achieve and take that step. This past week, I learned I was capable of something more than I expected, and it was a happy reminder that maybe, if we all could see how capable we are, then perhaps we all have the power to mold this world into a world of impossibilities and joy. What do you think?
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I think you are absolutely right, Laura, and you have explained it beautifully. Richard Bach said (in his book Illusions) “Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours.” Unfortunately when most of us imagine the impossibilities we imagine that they are truly impossible, and so sure enough they are. We have no idea how powerful we really are. Thanks for reminding me.