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Saturday Musings – Are You Limiting Yourself?
Determining your own limitations is often necessary for your very survival but are you placing limitations upon yourself that you’ve accidentally embraced? As we journey through life there are many well meaning people that say things to us that impose limitations upon our thinking. Isn’t it time to snap the shackles of good intentions?
A silly example of this can be a belief that you can’t sing. You may not be able to sing like Pavarotti but “can’t sing?”, I think not. It’s the rare individual that can’t actually sing but most of the population have bought into limitation that not only can’t they sing but for the sake of those people around them, they shouldn’t sing.
Have you allowed others to limit what you are capable? Such as, you have to work to pay the mortgage, so the bank now sets the limits for your own life. You can’t start that business you’ve always wanted to because of the financial risk. You have a sense that you’re in a mess and you can’t do anything without disaster befalling you.
You could believe that last statement or make decisions that break the bindings of the limitations that you have embraced for your life. Sometimes a simple decision maybe to just sell the house....
A number of years ago Roselyn and I were having a cup of tea and lamenting the fact that our two eldest children were wanting to borrow our second car all the time. Sometimes they wanted the car at the same time and we had to have the wisdom of Solomon to decide who could borrow it.
I had an epiphany.....we should sell the car. So we sold the car and the problems went away.....at least for us.Our two kids quickly grew up by saving money and bought their own cars.
One of the few things that can’t be taken from you is the power to view yourself in a fresh perspective. Is this hard to do? Yes, it is but once you do so it can be so liberating.
Nelson Mandela was imprisoned physically for 27 years and all during that time he soared with the dream of a country free from the oppression of apartheid. They could imprison his body but not his mind….only you can’t decide to let others imprison your dreams.
In the movie, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, the main character, Walter (from the above photo), had always wanted to break out of his mundane world and embrace his dreams. He’d avoided pursuing his dreams and adventures largely because he feared what other people would say about him. Eventually, he broke free of his shackles and had one adventure after another.
Maybe, just maybe you really don’t need a lot of the things you’ve surrounded yourself? The minimalist movement is gaining traction as people are realising they don’t need a six-bedroom house with only two people living in it. A TV in every room, several cars and fifty pairs of shoes hasn’t made them happy. What they long for is to embrace the adventure of life and build long lasting relationships.
What this means is if you want to sing, then sing! If you’ve always wanted to do a marathon then do one! If you’ve always wanted to lose weight, then change your lifestyle so it’s off once and for all.
I would encourage you to examine your life but not fall into the trap of despair. Get excited about the possibility of making some radical decisions that will set you on a new exciting course. On the flip side of the coin, if you are truly happy with what you are doing then stay the course and continue to bring joy to those around you.
Remember, you have one life, so go and live it.
Have a great weekend!
Comments
I found a long time ago to not listen to the naysayers. I figure I can do anything I set my mind to . I really wanted to learn brain surgery, but haven't found anyone to practice on, LOL. Just kidding. I can do most anything, didn't go back to college until I was 40 and my kids grown, because of money, but I still did it. To me there is no such thing as can't. The only thing limiting you, is your own fears and self doubt. I can fix anything, have a journeyman card in 3 trades and a college degree, and certifications for Pool and Spa operation, HVAC cert Universal, learned to climb poles and trees because i wanted to be a lineman. That is a partial list, I am still learning new things all the time. I learned that retired can be boring if you let it, have to keep moving.
I figure 10 years or less for you Michael, who knows.
Sounds to me like you're living life rather than merely existing Rawgi. As my Grandmother used to say....you only get old when you think you are.
Thanks Michael, I am trying to stay busy. I may not get to travel, but I am happy with helping and getting my projects done. I learned long ago, the only person i need to be happy with is the one I see in the mirror. That and I can't believe I am 65. I don't feel it.
You can be anything you want to be, it just takes hard work and dedication. Something I hope these young people have in them. I always love listening to you talk about the Domain business and the business savy you have. You could have applied that enthusiasm and direction to almost anything, and been a success. It shows in how you just love to share that knowledge and experience with anyone who will pay attention and Listen, and learn. I feel that there are special people that you are supposed to meet in your lifetime to get something from. You are definitely one of those people I was supposed to meet.
Thank for you being you and crossing my path. Of all places a computer game, LOL.
Rawgi, you are too kind.
I still have some great memories of playing FireFall....it's a shame that it all collapsed in a heap.