Maybe a time-worn picture of our carefree days can remind us. Of the life we set out to lead. Of the dreams we were so ready to dream. Of the blissful ignorance of the word impossible.
The challenge as we grow up is that we lose the simple belief that we were born to be the best. That loss of memory leads to a reset of our goals, now within rigid frameworks. These goals then don’t represent the real potential within. And that potential is lost forever.
This repetitive sequence restricts our success. Indeed it redefines success as just going with the flow. It makes it harder to aim higher. It makes it tougher to follow our hearts. Are we stretching ourselves to reach out or are we shrinking our lives to adapt?
The drawback of merely adapting is that we stop wanting to be better. Anything will do, as long as it doesn’t rock the boat. Second-best is perfectly acceptable. Because it doesn’t draw attention to you or your aspirations or your perspective on life.
Being in the shadows is safe. But it doesn’t stop you from imagining them. Or watching them take ominous forms. Or from constantly looking over your shoulder for them. But out in the open is the life you were meant to live, the goals you were meant to achieve and the happiness you were meant to enjoy. Be you…