Thanks again, Armel, for adding your thoughts to the discussion.

I think you're absolutely right that acknowledging our weaknesses is key to our gaining strength in other aspects of our life. For example, it's often suggested to people that if they get upset or angry over something that they disconnect themselves from that situation and focus their energy on completing some other task. Does this exercise help people from controlling their anger, in allowing them to learn how to not let certain things upset them? No. But what it does do is teach them to use that frustration for a beneficial effect instead of a negative one. In effect, taking that weakness and using it to develop a strength.

It's incredible when you think about how much we impair ourselves because of what we perceive to be our limitations; perhaps in some cases because we're using the wrong examples to compare ourselves against. We often hear about this untapped potential humans have; it's unfortunate that most of us don't realize that the potential is being wasted only because we're not seeing the full realm of our capabilities.

Thanks for stopping by, Meryl, and sharing your thoughts on this wonderful discussion.

I used to wonder how much I would've been able to accomplish had I not been born deaf. But there's another way of looking at it: If I had hearing at birth, maybe I would not have been driven to accomplish what I have.

We definitely make excuses to explain away why we don’t try walking off the beaten road. Sadly, our fear of failing tends to overwhelm our sense of curiosity about trying out a new activity. Do I always succeed in everything I try to learn or do? No, but at least I have a more realistic impression of my capabilities, of what I can do and what I can’t. I also have the satisfaction of knowing that I tried and the effort of trying is never a wasted one.

Thanks again, Colin, for taking the time to sharing your thoughts. And I’m glad you enjoyed the piece.

Be well

Colin

Thanks for the kind words – I appreciate it.

In this current economic climate, it’s becoming the norm for both people and companies to play it safe, if not to also pull in those boundaries a little closer, out of hope that further losses can be stemmed. And yet, all this ends up accomplishing is limiting your ability to grow and evolve in order to fulfill that inner potential that exists in all of us.

The best way I find to overcome this is to not only surround yourself with a supportive group of people, but also with individuals who work in a variety of different fields. This will not only provide you with several unique perspectives, but it will also give you the chance to push on those boundaries, to try out and learn something new from these different areas of knowledge and expertise. By going outside your usual circle of influence and interaction, you’ll not only gain new insights into how others perceive you, but also get to see what untapped potential you might have to develop and grow outside of your current realm.

Thanks again for stopping by, Bret, and for giving inspiration for this piece.