There’s wisdom in recognizing our limitations. We can’t do everything, and we invite much unnecessary suffering when we try. But all too often we sell ourselves short – missing great opportunities because the challenges seem too great. We might be surprised at what’s indeed possible when we have enough patience and courage to at least show up and try.
Of course, we want to set realistic expectations. Not everyone has the body type, mind, or temperament for every profession. And it’s wise to decline an opportunity when it’s clear it’s not a good fit for us.
But it’s a mistake to assume that difficult is the same as impossible or otherwise incompatible. Many things are possible even if the road to get there is full of challenges and risks.
For instance, making an impact for good often calls us out of the status quo. And this means leaving the well paved path of expectations to forge a new way forward. But we’ll never discover what’s possible unless we’re willing to at least try living on the frontier of change.
Likewise, the peace, intimacy, and connection we desire in our relationships are no easy things to maintain through the ups and downs of life. But this difficulty simply means something is required of us and that we cannot take these things for granted. And as we practice extending grace, forgiveness, and love to each other we can discover more of our relational potential. But we must still actively try to move toward better as it’s not enough to simply want it.
Whatever it looks like, we must be willing to put in the effort to make realistic desires a reality. We become passive and ineffective when we don’t.
In the end, thoughtfully consider if your desires are realistic. But don’t let the difficulty of a journey keep you from at least trying.
