Some Thoughts on Self-Limitation

By Joseph Stanford

I’ve realized that all the limitations in my life are put there by myself. I know I have all the physical and mental prerequisite tools for “success”. I’d argue that most of us do. And when I say success, I mean the achieving of one’s goals. The problem is that we easily fall for the illusions our minds manufacture.

I was seated at a table at a bar this weekend when I saw a cute girl walk by. My mind had

me convinced that she was out of my league and to not bother getting her attention. My state and self-confidence crashed. Then out of no where, the an even cuter girl later tapped me on my shoulder and said, “Hi, my friend dared me to come kiss you”. Suddenly I could see through my previously held illusion of that night. I was embarrassed by the whimsical, transient nature of my confidence. How could something so essential to my being be reversed in just a few seconds. 

    I’ve been trying to develop awareness and courage in these situations. Awareness of when the mind is fooling me and courage to fend off the seductive quality of falling for the illusion. Believing the illusions is the easiest option. It requires no effort. Defying the illusion is hard. It requires suffering and vulnerability. Places the mind usually tries to avoid.

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