| Año 3 • No. 129 • enero 26 de 2004 | Xalapa • Veracruz • México |
Publicación
Semanal
|
Páginas
Centrales
Información
General
Información
Regional
Internautas
Foro
Académico
Halcones
en Vuelo
Contraportada
|
A
Time to Move Forward: Exceeding our Self-imposed Limitations |
|
| In
the classic Clint Eastwood movie, Magnum Force (a golden oldie
circa 1973) Eastwood playing detective Harry Callahan utters the phrase,
“A man’s got to know his limitations.” True enough,
there is wisdom in those words. However, how do we know what our limitations
really are; physically, mentally, spiritually unless we take the time
to reflect upon the nature of our abilities? A friend I had on Wall Street was a recovering alcoholic. He shared with me something he called the prayer for serenity, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” It is one thing to know our limitations, it is quite something else to accept false limits when indeed most of our potential is never tapped. Albert Einstein, a pretty smart guy once remarked “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” And so we are left on the horns of a dilemma, seeking to improve our lives by exceeding our self-imposed limitations without falling prey to slickly touted schemes that do everything from turning back our biological clock to making us a million dollars all in a matter of days. The process of committing to a life changing program is well worth the money and effort as long as the plan is something realistic. For example; based on my age, my height and my past / current preferences in sports, I will not be drafted by the NBA (National Basketball Association … in the USA). This is not negative thinking, it is realistic thinking. Playing basketball in the NBA takes years of practice and dedication. The vast majority of those players that are drafted range in age from 18 to 21. No scheme developed in this year, 2004, will guide me to play in the NBA. None. Period. Again, this is not negative thinking, it is realistic thinking. A realistic plan for me might be one that took into consideration my favored sports and contextualized my current age and physical abilities with a very challenging goal. If I was so inclined to improve my basketball game I certainly could. I am sure my skills would be significantly improved utilizing a smart, realistic and comprehensive plan. Eventually, I should be able to make it into a competitive amateur league for people my age. I do not doubt that with sufficient practice I might be able to compete with younger people on an amateur basis. But, and this is one big but, I am not making it into the NBA, not until science has shed light on truly turning back the biological clock and in this case we are talking way back. It is not that I am old, it is that I will need years of practice. Of course there might come a time when nanotechnologically advanced devices could be implanted intramuscularly increasing my quotient of corporeal ability. This probably will happen one day, yet for now is the stuff of science fiction. Therefore, playing Pro-Basketball is simply not an option for me at the present time. Period. That is the reality. To exceed our own self-limitations we need to take stock of our vastly underestimated abilities, devise a plan (many times with the help of honest, knowledgeable people) and implement it so that we may unlock the treasure trove that can be our destiny. The challenge all the while, is to avoid those who would take advantage of our desire to improve our lives by shedding our limitations, attempting to sell us a no work, no effort, quick fix that promises us that we can become anyone we want to become. The best you can hope to become, is the best you, that you can be. That should be more than sufficient, indeed, it would be a dream come true. Exceeding our self-imposed limitations is particularly key in an academic setting, where we often operate in a given class as if we are merely the sum total of our past grades. A 7 student can become a 10 student with a plan, focused effort and self-belief. To plan on becoming the next Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking is not really relevant. What is relevant is accessing your passions, learning about your creative abilities and focusing your energies to make your dreams come true. I will not be drafted by the NBA this year, but I tell you what. I might just start playing some basketball again. I may see you on the courts. Who knows, with enough practice I just might beat you. I won’t limit myself. You shouldn’t either. Plan to exceed your self-imposed limitations now. Have any questions or comments? You can reach me at excelencia_humana@hotmail.com |
|
|
|