Limitations

35 Replies

This is a blast from my past. September 2015 to be exact. There are too many posts rolling around in my head and none have yet coalesced, so I thought I would treat you to an old one. If you have read it before, I hope you are not offended, if it is new, I hope you enjoy it.

 

I don’t recall the number of times I have been told to ‘take it easy’ or ‘know your limitations’. These are words spoken by people who care for me and for my welfare. I don’t explain to them that limits are restrictive and negative. Yes, it is important to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and to take them into account when you are doing anything. However. Isn’t there always a ‘however’? However, I believe that if we put too much emphasis on our limitations, we will indeed live down to them. If we are merely aware of them and occasionally ‘push the envelope’ then we stand a much better chance of living a full and productive life. There are those near me (not too near) who believe I should not strive as hard as I do or hope as much as I do because I am setting myself up for failure. I counter that if I do as they think then I am ensuring myself of a failure. I prefer to reach for the stars with my feet firmly planted on the ground. So, to speak.

Speaking of failure, why is it considered to be so bad? Every journey is a learning experience and failure is part of the path. As children we are taught to embrace our failures and to examine them. We learn from our failures. Easy successes are nice but they do not give us the knowledge to deal with the disappointments we will encounter in our lives. Failures keep us humble and allow us to fully appreciate our successes. Living is messy and painful but it is also joyous and wonderful. Just because we have a few speed bumps in the way is no reason to turn back. Life is forward and waiting for us. Let’s give it a shot.

 

35 thoughts on “Limitations”

  1. Murphy’s Law

    I really enjoyed this post Pam. It is so YOU! There’s not a person alive who doesn’t have some kind of limitations. Some of us have more than others. Some would say, “more than our fair share”. If we could all embrace your philosophy, we wouldn’t feel so ‘limited’, just a bit more challenged. A good challenge can be fun and rewarding,

    You make me want to try harder with my own limitations. I thank you for that dear friend. Do you even have any idea what a great role model you are?!
    Ginger

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. quiall Post author

      Ginger you humble me with your praise. Thank you. I have no idea how I became the person I am today but I firmly believe it is because family and friends believed in me. A simple thing but it means the world. Thank you for believing in me.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  3. barbtaub

    I used to love to hire people who understood failure, could rationally explain why it happened, and (most important) tell me what they would do differently. Failure is one of the best teachers out there.

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. Emilie

    Almost two years ago, it looked like I might land in a wheelchair. Of course I got very upset and sad, but then I started searching for little scooters instead of wheelchairs. And then I looked up wheelchair tours of Europe. I found I could have a wonderful life even with a scooter so I cheered up quite a bit.
    Then I got better, and then Covid hit. So although I am not using a scooter, I am still more restricted than I would like to be. Probably more restricted than if I had landed in the scooter!

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Dale

    It’s my first encounter with this brilliant piece. Hear! Hear! How many people get discouraged from even trying after being told to “know your limitations”… how can I know what they are until I try to surpass them?

    I’m also of the believe that you learn nothing from success where no effort was required. Only after you have faltered can you grow and learn.

    I am so with John on this new society we are creating (exclude me as I sit back and watch my kids fall) by not even letting our kids fall on their butts. They arrive in companies and think they are number one because they’ve always received participation trophies and think they do no wrong because their parents have ensured everything they do is right (or have lead them to believe it).

    Oh dear, I fear I could easily rant on this subject for miles and miles so I shall retreat and say, yay you!

    Liked by 1 person

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