June 8, 2008

BYBS: Over-reaching

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It is often said that a man must stay within one's limits, and I cannot but agree with the statement. But who is to decide what a man's limits are?

I think that most of us are not aware of our limits, or, for that matter, our capabilities. Most of the time we settle for less than what we are capable of. We feel that we can't go beyond a certain point, because we have never done that in that past. We slip into a comfort zone, and it is hard to get out of there.

And when we are trying to get out of that zone, there are many forces that try to prevent us. Trying to stay within our limits becomes just another one of those forces.

Though one must test one's limits, yet it should be done with great care as the testing of our limits is a territory that is fraught with risks. There is a good chance that we might over-reach and break ourselves in the process. But, I feel ( and I am not really sure if I am right on this one), that it is better to be broken after a hearty and well meant attempt, than to be wasted without knowing what one could have done.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been busy and not-so-busy in turns. There has been a lot to do. Some things I have managed to do, and some other things I have not. At times, I thought that there is only so much that a person can do, and I wanted to stop - I thought I had hit my limit. But then, I thought some more and decided to over-reach, and though I don't think I came any closer to finding my limits, it was fun trying to get out of the comfort level and do just a little bit more.

Have a great week ahead!

10 comments:

Susan Demeter said...

I think only individuals can know and set their own limits. And I do believe it is good to test them once in awhile :) Happy BYB Sunday!

Nyawela Gianna said...

I know what you mean. One thing that keeps me in a comfort zone is the fear of what's on the outside of that zone, namelly fear of failure.

I realized a couple of days ago that I have always had a fear of failure and it has become so ingrained in me. I failed at a nursing procedure the other day and was so torn up about it that I cried. I'm almost thirty and I cried! Then, after some nuggets from wendy's and much thought, I realized that because of my failure I was one step closer to success. And I can no means let that failure keep me from being the best nurse that I can be.

BTW... I love what you've done with the place. Keep up the good work with BYBS.

Whatever said...

Good post!

For myself, I find the most common source for limits is...myself. It's amazing how I can create them and not even realize that I've done so.

Anonymous said...

This hits close to home, Neo. Lately, I have been thinking that maybe I am not using my capabilities to the best that I can just because I am already comfortable where I am, with what I have. Thank you for reminding me to reevaluate things in my life as of the moment.

Take care and have a great week!

SandyCarlson said...

If we could only add up all our time and take an average! Sometimes downtime is difficult--like a guilty pleasure.

Unknown said...

like exercising, to build up muscle strength we actually need to over-reach & over-exert

but over-exert too much of course & you get to experience pain of coz :P

getting out of our comfort level is very important as otherwise staying in comfort actually equates slowly dying away. not so fun after all. hmm.

Linda said...

Here is my entry.
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/ourlittlehouseintown/100862/

Linda said...

stev that was well said, thank you.

PlanetMars said...

In a forum that i once attended, it was discussed that people are too afraid to look bad that is why we have so many fears. For one, setting a limit to oneself may be due to a certain fear to fail. But more often than not we don't want to fail because we don't want to look bad in other people's perception, and even our own perception. If we try to remove this thought of always looking good, we might be able to move out of our comfort zone and stop giving limitations to what we can do.
But I guess I did not learn much from that forum, cause until now, I haven't gone out of my comfort zone =)

storyteller said...

I’m sorry I missed posting the last couple of weeks, but I did get one up at Sacred Ruminations for this past Sunday, June 15th, and plan to visit others as time (and my computer) permits. I’ve been having problems with my computer lately but have ordered a new one … so once it arrives I should get back on track. I’m all for ‘testing’ limits … and pushing beyond whatever we believe them to be whenever possible since it’s only by trying that we actually see how far we might fly. I also believe it’s essential to rest and regroup when needed. For me, it’s about ‘balance’ in all things.
Hugs and blessings,

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